Peptidomimetic inhibitors of the human cytomegalovirus protease

ABSTRACT

A compound of formula (I) is disclosed: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein X, z, W, Y, R 1  through R 5 , m and n are as define herein. These compounds are peptidomimetic inhibitors of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protease and are useful for the treatment of human cytomegalovirus infection.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/034,041, filed Dec. 27, 1996, Provisional Application No. 60/052,860, filed Jul. 17, 1997, and Provisional Application No. 60/059,806, filed Sep. 23, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds, composition and methods for the treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides novel peptidomimetic inhibitors of the HCMV protease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent member of the herpesvirus family infecting up to 80% of the general population. This virus is responsible for opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals including organ transplant recipients, cancer patients and AIDS sufferers. Clinical manifestations include disseminated disease, pneumonitis, retinitis and gastro-intestinal infections such as oesophagitis and colitis. Of particular significance are HCMV infections of neonates. This disease is the most common congenitally acquired viral infection in the world. It is estimated that 1% of newborn infants are infected and up to 10% of these are symptomatic and may experience severe complications. Mortality in this latter group approaches 30%.

All members of the herpesvirus family express a protein late in the virus life cycle which appears to function as a self assembling scaffold during the manufacture of the viral capsid. This assembly protein is present in immature B-capsids and must be processed to remove a short segment of the C-terminus in order to permit the entry of viral DNA and produce an infectious virus particle. Recently it has been shown that this processing is mediated by a protease which is encoded by the virus. The protease itself is expressed as a precursor protein which is autocatalytically cleaved at least twice (Scheme 1). Cleavage occurs near the C-terminal end of the UL80 gene product (M-site) to remove a small fragment, and also at a position located near the center of the precursor (R-site) to excise the catalytic domain (N_(o)). Both N_(o) and the full length protease (UL80 gene product) are catalytically active.

HCMV protease N_(o) shows significant sequence homology with other herpesvirus proteases. Affinity labeling experiments and site-directed mutagenesis indicate that this enzyme is a serine protease. Recent crystallographic results have shown that HCMV protease represents a novel structure of serine proteases and in fact possesses a unique catalytic triad.

While it has not been demonstrated that HCMV protease is absolutely required for viral replication, it has been shown that HSV-1 mutants lacking the analogous enzyme or expressing defective variations of it are unable to grow. The high degree of homology between the proteases of HSV and HCMV support the idea that specific inhibitors of HCMV protease would show antiviral activity and thus have therapeutic value.

EP 0,410,411 A2 discloses novel peptidase inhibitors. These peptide analogs all contain a pentafluoroethylketone at P1′, however none of the peptide disclosed contain the amino acid derivatives at P2 disclosed in the present invention.

A. H. Abuelyaman et al. (Bioconjuate Chemistry, vol.5, no.5, October 1994, pp.400-405) discloses fluorescent peptide phosphonates. However, none of the peptides disclosed corresponds or leads to the peptide derivatives of the invention.

Derstine et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 118, no. 35, Sep. 4, 1996, pp. 8485-8486 discloses a number of peptidyl trifluoromethylketones. None of these peptides corresponds or leads to the peptide derivatives of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a compound of formula I:

wherein z is C or P;

when z is C, then X is CF₃; C₂F₅; benzothiazole; oxazolo[4,5b]pyridine; or benzoxazole-R₇ wherein R₇ is H or methyl;

or X is CF₂CONH—R₇, C(O)NH—R₆,

wherein R₆ is C₀₋₁₀ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or cyclohexyl, said phenyl or cyclohexyl ring being optionally substituted with Me, halogen —CF₃, —CH(Me)—C(O)—OBn; —C(O)NH₂; or —C(O)-morpholino; said phenyl or cyclohexyl ring optionally fused with a phenyl ring;

(CH₂)₁₋₃—O—(CH₂)₁₋₃-phenyl said phenyl optionally substituted with halogen;

(CH₂₎ ₁₋₃-2-benzimidazole;

(CH₂ ₁₋₃-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); or

(CH₂)₁₋₃—O—C(O)—OCH₂CH═CH₂;

or, when z is P, then X is —(OPh)₂;

R₁ is H, Me, or Et;

R₂ is CH₂—SO₂NH₂; —C₁₋₆ alkyl; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl) aryl; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)thiazolo; —CH₂C(O)—(C₁₋₆ alkyl); —CH₂C(O)-pyrrolidino; —CH₂C(O)-morpholino; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amido optionally mono- or di-substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, said alkyl optionally substituted with pyridino;

W is NH, CH₂ or CH(CH₃);

R₃ is —C₁₋₁₂ alkyl; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)C(O)OH; or adamantyl;

n is 0 or 1, R₄, when n is 1, is -C₁₋₆ alkyl or —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)-aryl wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with OH;

m is 0 or 1, R₅, when m is 1, is H or —CH₂OH;

and

Y is H; (CH₂)₂-t-Bu; or an acyl of formula:

—C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—C(O)OH;

—C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆ —Ph wherein Ph is optionally substituted with OH;

—C(O)—CH₂N(CH₃)₂;

C(O)—R₉; —C(O)O—R₉; or —C(O)NH—R₉ wherein R₉ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or

—C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NH₂ wherein said amino group is optionally protected with an amino protecting group.

Included within the scope of this invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-cytomegalovirus virally effective amount of a compound of formula I or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium or auxiliary agent.

An important aspect of the invention involves a method of treating a cytomegalovirus viral infection in a mammal by administering to the mammal an anti-CMV virally effective amount of the compound of formula I or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof, or a composition as described above.

Another important aspect involves a method of inhibiting the replication of cytomegalovirus virus by exposing the virus to a CMV protease inhibiting amount of the compound of formula I or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof, or a composition as described above.

Preferred compounds of the invention include compounds of formula I:

wherein the substituents are defined below.

Preferably, z is C. or P.

More preferably, z is C.

Preferably, X is CF₃;

C₂F₅;

2-benzothiazole;

2-oxazolo[4,5b]pyridine;

2-benzoxazole-R₇, wherein R₇ is H, 4-Me, 5-Me, 6-Me, or 7-Me;

CF₂CONHR₆ or C(O)NHR₆wherein

R₆ is C₁₋₇ alkyl, optionally substituted with cyclohexyl, naphtyl, or phenyl optionally substituted with Me, iodo, CF₃, —CH(Me) —C(O) —OBn; —C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)-morpholino;

(CH₂) ₂—O—CH₂-phenyl;

CH₂-2-benzimidazole; or

CH₂—(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene);

or when z is P, then X is (OPh)₂.

More preferably, X is CF₃;

C₂F₅;

benzothiazole;

benzoxazole-R₇, wherein R₇ is H, 4-Me, 5-Me, 6-Me, or 7-Me;

—CF₂CONH—CH₂-phenyl;

—C(O)NHR₆ wherein

R₆ is —CH(Me) (CH₂)₄CH₃; cyclohexyl; naphtyl; —CH₂-phenyl; —CH (CH₃)-phenyl; or —CH(CH₂CH₃)-phenyl; —CH₂-4-iodophenyl; -phenyl-CH₃; -phenyl-CF₃; -phenyl-C(O)NH₂; -phenyl-C(O)-morpholino; -phenyl-CH(Me)—C(O)—OBn; —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂-phenyl; —CH₂-2-benzimidazole; —CH₂-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); or —(CH₂)₂—O—C(O)—OCH₂CH═CH₂;

or when z is P, then X is (OPh)₂.

Most preferably, X is C₂F₅;

—C(O)NHR₆ wherein

R₆ is —CH₂-phenyl; —CH₂-4-iodophenyl; —CH(CH₃)-phenyl; or —CH(CH₂CH₃) -phenyl; —CH (Me)-naphtyl; —CH₂CH(Me)-phenyl; —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂-phenyl; —CH₂-2-benzimidazole; or —CH₂-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene);

Preferably, R₁ is H, methyl or ethyl.

More preferably, R₁ is H or methyl.

Most preferably, R₁ is H or methyl;

Preferably, R₂ is —CH₂-phenyl;

—CH₂-(4-thiazolo);

—(CH₂)₁₋₄—NH₂;

—CH₂—C(O)-tert-butyl;

—CH₂—C(O)—(N-pyrrolidino);

—CH₂—C(O)—(N-morpholino);

—CH₂SO₂NH₂;

—(CH₂)₁₋₂-amido, the nitrogen of said amido optionally mono- or di-substituted with a substituent selected independently from: CH₃; t-Bu; phenyl; or —CH₂CH₂—(2-pyridino).

More preferably, R₂ is —CH₂—C(O)—(N-pyrrolidino);

—CH₂—C(O)—(N-morpholino);

—CH₂SO₂NH₂;

—(CH₂)C(O)NH₂;

—(CH₂)₂C(O)N(CH₃)₂;

—CH₂—C(O)—NH-t-Bu; or

—(CH₂)₂—C(O)—N(CH₃) CH₂CH₂(2-pyridino)

Most preferably, R₂ is —CH₂—C(O)—(N-pyrrolidino);

—CH₂—C(O)—(N-morpholino);

—(CH₂)₂C(O)N(CH₃)₂; or

—(CH₂)₂—C(O)—N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂(2-pyridino)

Preferably, W is NH or CH₂.

More preferably, W is NH.

Preferably, R₃ is ethyl; isopropyl; t-Bu; CH₂-t-Bu; or adamantyl.

More preferably, R₃ is ethyl; isopropyl; or t-Bu.

Most preferably, R₃ is isopropyl; or t-Bu.

Preferably, n is 0 or 1.

More preferably, n is 0.

Alternatively, more preferably, n is 1.

Preferably, R₄, when n is 1, is isopropyl; t-Bu; or 4-hydroxybenzyl. More preferably, R₄, when n is 1, is isopropy; or t-Bu. Most preferably, R₄, when n is 1, is t-Bu;

Preferably, m is 0 or 1. More preferably, m is 0.

Preferably, R₅, when m is 1, is H.

Preferably, Y is H; —CH₂—CH₂-t-Bu; or an acyl of formula:

—C(O)CH₃;

—C(O)CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂;

—C(O)CH₂—t-Bu (DA-Tbg)

—C(O)(CH₂)₂-4-hydroxyphenyl;

—C(O)—(CH₂)₃—COOH;

—C(O)O—t-Bu (Boc);

—C(O)NH—t-Bu;

—C(O)CH₂—N(CH₃)₂; or

—C(O)(CH₂)₁₋₆NH₂, said amino group optionally protected with an amino protecting group.

More preferably, Y is H; or an acyl of formula:

—C(O)CH₃;

—C(O)CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂;

—C(O)CH₂-t-Bu (DA-Tbg)

—C(O)(CH₂)₂-4-hydroxyphenyl;

—C(O)—(CH₂)₃—COOH;

—C(O)O-t-Bu (Boc);

—C(O)(CH₂)₅NH₂; or

—C(O)(CH₂)₅NH—Boc.

Most preferably, Y is an acyl of formula:

—C(O)CH₂-t-Bu (DA-Tbg);

—C(O)O-t-Bu (Boc);

—C(O)(CH₂)₅NH₂; or

—C(O)(CH₂)₅NH—Boc.

A preferred compound of the invention is selected from the group consisting of:

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-2-methyl-1-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)methyl] carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]propylcarboxamido) butanediamide (37) [SEQ ID NOS: 1 & 2];

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-6-amino-2-((1S)-1-[((1S)-1-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-(methylcarboxamido) ethyl]carboxamido-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)carboxamido]-2-methylpropyl-carboxamido)hexanamide (38) [SEQ ID NOS: 3 & 4];

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (39) [SEQ ID NOS 5 & 6];

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-{(1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (40);

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-(1S)-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-{(1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamido}butanediamide (43);

N1-(1-ethyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamidopropyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (44) [SEQ ID NOS: 7 & 8];

N1-(1-(3,3,3,-trifluoro-1-propyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl)carboxamido]butane diamide (45) [SEQ ID NOS: 9 & 10];

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyllcarboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]pentanediamide (46) [SEQ ID NOS: 11 & 12];

(3S)-3-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl)carboxamido]-3-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]propanoic acid (47) [SEQ ID NOS: 13 & 14];

N1-[(1S)-1-((1S)-2-hydroxy-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)-2-methylpropyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido) butanamide (48) [SEQ ID 15 & 16];

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-6-amino-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]hexanamide (49) [SEQ ID NOS: 17 & 18];

N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-carbamoyl]ethylcarbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (50) [SEQ ID NOS: 19 & 20];

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (51) [SEQ ID NOS: 21 & 22];

N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-4-methyl-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]pentanamide (52) [SEQ ID NOS: 23 & 24];

N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-phenyl-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-ethylcarbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (53) [SEQ ID NOS: 25 & 26];

N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-propylcarbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (54) [SEQ ID NOS: 27 & 28];

N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (55) [SEQ ID NOS: 29 & 30];

N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((lR)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (56) [SEQ ID NOS: 31 & 32];

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (57) [SEQ ID NOS: 33 & 34];

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (58) [SEQ ID NOS: 35 & 36];

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido butyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (59) [SEQ ID NOS: 37 & 38];

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((S)-1-(1-adamantyl)-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido methyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (60) [SEQ ID NOS: 39 & 40];

(3S)-3-((1S)-2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-ethylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropanoic acid (61) [SEQ ID NOS: 41 & 42];

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (62);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-1-[(4-hydroxyphenethyl)carboxamido]-2,2-dimethylpropylcarboxamido) butanediamide (63);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-1-(isobutylcarboxamido)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (64);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (65);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-1-[(3,3-dimethyl-butyl)amino]-2,2-dimethylpropylcarboxamido]butanediamide (66);

4N,4N-Dimethyl-1N-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-2-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino)-2,2-dimethyl-(1S)-propylcarboxamido]-(2S)-butanediamide (67);

N4,N4-Dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-xopropyl-2-[1-(tert-butylaminocarbonyl-amino)-2,2-imethyl-(1S)-propylcarboxamido]-(2S)-butanediamide 68);

4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-xopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-1-[(dimethylmino)methyl]carboxamido-2,2-dimethylpropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (69) [SEQ ID NOS: 43 & 44];

4-[(1S)-1-((1S)-2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-[(3,3,3-rifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl] ethylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]carbamoylbutanoic cid (70);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentyl carboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (74);

N1-[3-(benzylcarbamoyl)-3,3-difluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (75);

3-{2-[2-(3,3-dimethyl-butyrylamino)-3,3-dimethyl-butyrylamino]-3-dimethylcarbamoyl-propionylamino}-2-oxo-butyric acid benzyl amide (76);

N1-[2-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (77);

Diphenyl N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-aminoethylphosphinate)(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butane diamide (79);.

N1-[2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-di-methyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidolbutane diamide (80);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-[1,3]oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl-2-oxoethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (81);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[l-methyl-2-(6-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (82);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(5-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (83);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[l-methyl-2-(4-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (84);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(7-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (85);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-1[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (86);

N1-(2-[2-(benzyloxy)ethyl]carbamoyl-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl)-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (88);

N1-2-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (89);

N1-2-[(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (90);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (91);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (92);

N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(l-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1R)-1-phenylpropyl]carbamoyl-ethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (93);

Ac-Ser-Tyr-Val-Lys-Ala(d,1)—C(O)—NH—CH₂—Ph 218 [SEQ ID NOS: 71 & 72];

A further aspect of the present invention is a solid phase process for the synthesis of peptidyl activated ketones comprising the steps of:

a) coupling a semicarbazone acid of formula 113 to a resin by in situ activation;

 wherein R is a side chain of a natural or non-natural amino acid;

and X′ is CF₃, CF₂CONH—R₃₀, C(O)NH—R₃₀, or C(O)OR₃₀, wherein R₃₀ is a cyclic C₃₋₁₂ alkyl or acyclic C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or cyclic C₃₋₁₂ alkenyl or acyclic C₂₋₁₂ alkenyl, said alkyl or alkenyl optionally substituted with NH₂, OH, SH, halo, or carboxyl;

said alkyl or alkenyl optionally containing at least one heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of: O, S, and N; or R₃₀ is a C₆ or C₁₀ aryl or C₇₋₁₆ aralkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, NH₂, OH, SH, halo, carboxyl or carboxy(lower)alkyl; said aryl or aralkyl optionally containing at least one heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of: O, S, and N;

A is a divalent spacer group which comprises a non-reactive divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms;

and

Pg is an amino protecting group

b)deprotecting said amino protecting group to give the desired resin of formula 103;

c) coupling said resin with one or more amino acid in a sequential manner by standard chemistry; and

d) cleaving said peptide from said resin to obtain a peptidyl activated ketone of formula II. Preferably, the cleavage step as herein described is carried out in THF, aq.HCl, and AcOH at a temperature of about 60° C. for about 4 hours; and said resin is filtered at least once.

Preferably, the resin is selected from the group consisting of: polystyrene or pegylated polystyrene functionalized with benzydrylamine (BHA); 4-methyl benzydrylamine (MBHA); and aminomethyl (AM).

Preferably, the in situ activation is carried out with the addition of a coupling agent selected from the group consisting of: 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU); 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU); diisopropyl carbodiimide (DIC), and dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC).

Preferably, the amino protecting group is selected from the group consisting of: t-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc); 9-fluorenylmethyloxy carbonyl (Fmoc); and allyloxy carbonyl (Alloc).

Preferably, X′ is C(O)NH₂CH₂-phenyl or C(O)OCH₂CH═CH₂.

Preferably, R is selected from the group consisting of:

CH₃; CH₂CH₃; CH₂CH₂CH₃; (CH₂)₄NH₂; CH(CH₃)2; CH₂-phenyl; (CH₂)₃—NH—CH═N (NH₂).

Preferably, A is cyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl.

Alternatively, a further aspect of the present invention is a resin of formula 103 as defined above.

Still, a further aspect of the present invention is the use of a resin of formula 103 for the solid phase synthesis of peptidyl activated ketones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a Dixon plot for competitive inhibition of compound 76 against HCMV protease.

FIG. 2 is a Progress curve for the inhibition of HCMV protease by compound 65.

FIG. 3 is a Progress curve for the inhibition of HCMV protease by compound 76.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the following definitions apply unless otherwise noted:

With reference to the instances where (R) or (S) is used to designate the configuration of a radical, e.g. R₄ of the compound of formula I, the designation is done in the context of the compound and not in the context of the radical alone.

The natural amino acids, with exception of glycine, contain a chiral carbon atom. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, the compounds containing natural amino acids with the L-configuration are preferred. However, applicants contemplate that when specified, some amino acids of the formula I can be of either D- or L-configuration or can be mixtures of D- and L-isomers, including 1:1 epimeric mixtures.

The non-natural amino acids include, but are not limited to, α-aminoadipic acid, α-γ-diamino butyric acid, ornithine, pipecolic acid, sarcosine, thyroxine, hydroxylysine, and hydroxyproline.

The abbreviations for some α-amino acids are set forth in Table A.

TABLE A AMINO ACID SYMBOL Aminobutyric acid Abu Alanine Ala Arginine Arg Aspartic acid Asp Asparagine Asn Cysteine Cys Glutamic acid Glu Glutamine Gln Glycine Gly Histidine His Isoleucine Ile Leucine Leu Lysine Lys Methionine Met Phenylalanine Phe Proline Pro Serine Ser Threonine Thr Tryptophan Trp tert-Butylglycine Tbg Desamino-tert-butylglycine DA-Tbg Tyrosine Tyr Valine Val

As used herein the term “tert-butylglycine” refers to a compound of formula:

The term “side chain” with reference to an amino acid or amino acid derivative means a residue attached to the α-carbon atom of the α-amino acid. For example, the R-group side chain for glycine is hydrogen, for alanine it is methyl, for asparagine it is CH₂—C(O)NH₂, for glutamine it is CH₂CH₂C(O)NH₂, and tert-butylglycine it is tert-butyl. For the specific R-groups or side chains of the α-amino acids reference is made to A. L. Lehninger's text on Biochemistry (see chapter 4).

The term “halo” as used herein means a halogen radical selected from bromo, chloro, fluoro or iodo.

The term “C₁₋₁₀ alkyl” or “(lower)alkyl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means cyclic or acyclic (meaning straight chain or branched) alkyl radicals containing up to ten carbon atoms and includes, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, 1-methylethyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl. Obviously, as will be readily recognized by a person skilled in the art when a cycloalkyl is contemplated, unless otherwise indicated, the alkyl radical will contain at least 3 carbon atoms.

The term “C2-10 alkenyl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means an alkyl radical as defined above containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and further containing at least one double bond. For example alkenyl includes allyl.

The term “C₆ or C₁₀ aryl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means either an aromatic monocyclic system containing 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic bicyclic system containing 10 carbon atoms. For example, aryl includes phenyl or naphthalene.

The term “C₇₋₁₆ aralkyl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means an aryl as defined above linked through an alkyl group, wherein alkyl is as defined above containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Aralkyl includes for example benzyl, and butylphenyl.

The term “divalent spacer group” as used herein means a non-reactive divalent hydrocarbyl group from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and includes, but is not limited to, cyclohexane, phenyl and benzyl.

The term “heterocycle” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a monovalent radical derived by removal of a hydrogen from a five-, six-, or seven-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle containing from one to four heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of suitable heterocycles include pyrrolidine, pyridine, thiazole, thiazolidine, benzothiazole, benzoxazole, benzimidazole, and 3,4-methylenedioxybenzene.

ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY

The antiviral activity of the aforementioned peptidomimetic inhibitors of HCMV protease (HCMV protease inhibitors) can be demonstrated by biochemical, microbiological and biological procedures. For example, an assay based on the evaluation of the ability of the test compound to inhibit HCMV protease, an enzyme vital for viral replication.

When the HCMV protease inhibitor is employed as an antiviral agent, it is administered orally, or systemically to humans in a vehicle comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, the proportion of which is determined by the solubility and chemical nature of the compound, chosen route of administration and standard biological practice. For oral administration, the compound or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof can be formulated in unit dosage forms such as capsules or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient, ranging from about 50 to 500 mg, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

For parenteral administration, the HCMV protease inhibitor is administered by either intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, in compositions with pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles or carriers. For administration by injection, it is preferred to use the compounds in solution in a sterile aqueous vehicle which may also contain other solutes such as buffers or preservatives as well as sufficient quantities of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or of glucose to make the solution isotonic.

Suitable vehicles or carriers for the above noted formulations are described in standard pharmaceutical texts, e.g. in “Remington's The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, 19th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1995, or in “Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms And Drugs Delivery Systems”, 6th ed., H. C. Ansel et al., Eds., Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md., 1995.

The dosage of the HCMV protease inhibitor will vary with the form of administration and the particular active agent chosen. Furthermore, it will vary with the particular host under treatment. Generally, treatment is initiated with small increments until the optimum effect under the circumstance is reached. In general, the inhibitor compound is most desirably administered at a concentration level that will generally afford antivirally effective results without causing any harmful or deleterious side effects. For oral administration, the HCMV protease inhibitor is administered in the range of 20 to 200 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, with a preferred range of 25 to 100 mg per kilogram.

For ocular administration, the HCMV protease inhibitor is administered either topically or intraocularly (injection or implant) in a suitable preparation. For example, an implant containing the compound in a suitable formulation can be surgically placed in the posterior segment of the eye through a small incision.

With reference to systemic administration, the HCMV protease inhibitor is administered at a dosage of 10 mg to 150 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, although the aforementioned variations will occur. However, a dosage level that is in the range of from about 10 mg to 100 mg per kilogram of body weight per day is most desirably employed in order to achieve effective results.

CHEMISTRY

The synthesis of the various inhibitors and the required intermediates are described in Schemes 2 to 7.

Inhibitors containing a trifluoromethyl ketone function were obtained in one of three ways: solution chemistry or solid phase synthesis: schemes 2 or 3. Inhibitors containing an α-ketoamide were obtained in one of two ways: solid phase: scheme 3 or solution chemistry: scheme 4. Inhibitors containing other activated ketones were obtained by solution chemistry: scheme 5.

Solid Phase Synthesis.

Scheme 2:

Inhibitors which incorporate an asparagine residue at P₂ (Scheme 2) could be prepared through solid phase synthesis using the asparagine side chain as an attachment point to the resin (Abraham, N. A.; Fazal, G.; Ferland, J.-M.; Rakhit, S.; Gauthier, J., A new solid phase strategy for the synthesis of mammalian glucagon, Tetrahedron Lett. 1991, 32, 577-580).

Thus a Henry reaction between hemiacetal 1 and nitroethane gave nitro alcohol 2 which was immediately reduced and protected to yield alcohol 3. After removal of the Boc group, coupling with a suitably protected aspartic acid derivative gave 4. This compound was then deprotected by hydrolysis and incorporated onto a polymer support to afford the derivatized amide resin 5. The required amino acids were then introduced by standard methods. Hydrolysis from the resin and oxidation of the resulting alcohol using Moffatt's procedure [(a) Pfitzner, K. E.; Moffatt, J. G. Sulfoxide-carbodiimide reactions. I. A facile oxidation of alcohols. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1965, 87, 5661-5670. (b) Pfitzner, K. E.; Moffatt, J. G. Sulfoxide-carbodiimide reactions. II. Scope of the oxidation reaction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1965, 87, 5670-5678] gave the desired peptides. Activated ketones which contain a P₂ residue other than asparagine were prepared using standard solution methods from alcohol 3 or by the novel solid phase technique described below.

Schemes 3A and 3B:

The synthesis of peptidyl trifluoromethyl ketone or α-ketoamide is typically performed in solution, by preparing a precursor alcohol and submitting it to a final oxidation step. This oxidation is often problematic (especially when other oxidizable groups are present in the molecule) and sometimes limits the choice of pharmacophore to be incorporated in the inhibitor.

To take advantage of the recent advances in robotics technologies and in the development of combinatorial chemistry techniques, we sought to investigate a solid phase process for the synthesis of peptidyl trifluoromethyl ketone or α-ketoamide inhibitors. Our goal was to develop a methodology which would give access directly to the activated ketone functionality without the need to perform a final oxidation step. To this end, we considered using a semicarbazone linkage 103 (Scheme 3A) to serve both as reversible protecting group for the ketone and as anchoring group to the polymeric support. A similar solid phase process had already been reported by Webb and co-workers for the preparation of peptidyl aldehydes (a) Murphy, A. M.; Dagnino, R.; Pureza Jr., L. V.; Trippe, A. J.; Sherman, S. L.; Lumpkin, R. H.; Tamura, S. Y.; Webb, T. R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 3156;b) Webb, T. R. U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,293; c) Webb, T. R. U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,072). Our process, however, comprises a final cleavage step that is performed without the requirement of formaldehyde as is described in the process of Webb et al. This allows for a greater variety of pharmacophores to be incorporated in the inhibitor.

The precursor for α-ketoamides (108) was prepared as follows:

The trifluoromethyl ketone or α-ketoamide (108) were oxidized by a Swern oxidation to give the corresponding trifluoromethyl ketone and α-ketoamide in 66% yields.

With the necessary activated ketone in hand, it remained to generate the desired semicarbazone moiety 112 and to anchor it onto a BHA resin. To this end, the protected semicarbazide 110 was deprotected and neutralized. The resulting semicarbazide was then condensed in refluxing toluene, with the activated ketone 109 under acid catalysis and azeotropic removal of water, to give the trans semicarbazone 112 in moderate yield (in the case of the ketoamide, a cis/trans mixture was obtained). The hydrogenolysis of the benzyl ester proceeded without problem to give the corresponding acid 113 in quantitative yield. The acid was then coupled to a polystyrene BHA resin by in situ activation with TBTU followed by the removal of the Boc protecting group to give the desired resin 103.

With the resin 103 in hand, the solid-phase oligomerizaton was accomplished using standard protocols. The semicarbazone linkage being resistant to both anhydrous acidic and mildly basic conditions, both Boc and Fmoc-protected amino acids could be used at any position of the peptidic sequence. This versatility allowed for an increased diversity in building blocks to be incorporated in the final inhibitor. The coupling of amino acids was done through their corresponding HOBt esters as shown in Scheme 3B. At the completion of the synthesis, in cases where the molecule incorporated acid-sensitive side chain protecting groups, those were removed by treatment with 75% TFA/CH₂Cl₂.

The final cleavage from the polymer support was performed by refluxing the dried resin in a THF solution containing aqueous HCl and acetic acid at 65° C. In order to maximize the yields, we found it necessary to filter the resin and repeat this protocol once more. In general, the cleavage from the resin was slightly slower for the valine-derived trifluoromethyl ketones 212-217 (see Example 62) than for their alanine (201-207) or ethyl glycine (208-211) counterpart. This difference in rate of hydrolysis could be compensated for by doing one extra cleavage for valine derivatives. In cases where a basic residue was present in the sequence, a slightly higher concentration of HCl was used during the cleavage and a total of three cleavages were required in order to ensure maximum yields. We have found that addition of formaldehyde to trap the liberated semicarbazide to be superfluous. Not only the formaldehyde did not provide any significant benefit as reflected by the overall yield of compound, but it did also complicate the isolation of the desired product, particularly for sequences containing a free amino group.

During the final cleavage, no interference was observed from nucleophilic or oxidizable side chains such as the ones present in serine, methionine, tyrosine, histidine, lysine or aspartic acid. The cleavage of inhibitors containing an asparagine residues adjacent to the trifluoromethyl group was more problematic. In this case, it was found necessary to use the N-trityl protected asparagine and to deprotect the trityl group in solution after the cleavage from the resin. The presence of an asparagine residue elsewhere in the sequence did not however necessitate any side chain protection.

The cleavage conditions were mild enough to be compatible with various acid-sensitive protecting groups such as N-Boc, O-t-Bu ether, O-t-Bu ester and O-Bn ester. During the cleavage, methyl esters are however hydrolyzed to an extent of 50%. In most cases, the treatment with 75% TFA prior to the cleavage from the resin, was sufficient to completely deprotect the acid-sensitive side chain protecting groups. However, in a few examples the O-t-Bu derivative of threonine and aspartic acid were also isolated indicating that the deprotection was not complete in those cases.

α-ketoamides could also be synthesized by the same process (compounds 218 and 219 from example 62) and in similar overall yields.

By its generality, this methodology is well suited for an application in rapid lead optimization and in the generation of libraries for the purpose of identifying novel trifluoromethyl ketone and α-ketoamide inhibitors of serine proteases.

Protocols and yields of purified final products are reported in Examples 1 and 62 respectively.

Solution Chemistry.

Schemes 4, 5, and 6:

Peptides containing activated ketones other than trifluoromethyl ketone could also be prepared by sequentially coupling a suitably protected amino alcohol with the required amino acids or peptide segment using standard solution methods. After the complete backbone was established, oxidation of the resulting alcohol gave the desired compound. The preparation of the various building blocks are shown in Schemes 4, 5 and 6.

Condensation of Weinreb amide 10 with CF₃CF₂Li followed by reduction with NaBH₄ gave pentafluoroethyl substituted alcohol 11 (Scheme 4).

The α,α-difluoroamide 13 was prepared from an ultrasonic Reformatsky reaction (Thaisrivongs, S.; Pals, P. T.; Kati, W. M.; Turner, S. R.; Thomasco, L. M.; Watt, W.; Design and synthesis of potent and specific renin inhibitors containing diflurostatine, difluorstatone, and related analogues. J. Med. Chem. 1986, 24, 2080-2087) between ethyl bromodifluoroacetate and Boc-alaninal followed by treatment with benzylamine. Benzothiazole 14 was obtained in a straightforward manner when 2-lithiobenzothiazole was added to this same aldehyde. The remaining benzoxazole derivatives 16 to 21 were synthesized as shown from amide 15. Reduction to the aldehyde by the action of LiAlH₄ was followed by cyanohydrin formation, partial hydrolysis and cyclization using procedures previously described [(a) Edwards, P. D.; Meyer, E. F. Jr.; Vijayalakshmi, I.; Tuthill, P. A.; Andisik, D. A.; Gomes, B.; Strimpler, A. Design, synthesis, and kinetic evaluation of a unique class of elastase inhibitors, the peptidyl α-ketobenzoxazoles, and the X-ray crystal structure of the covalent complex between porcine pancreatic elastase and Ac-Ala-Pro-Val-2-benzoxazole. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 1854-1863. (b) Edwards, P. D.; Zottola, M. A.; Davis, M.; Williams, J.; Tuthill, P. A. Peptidyl α-ketoheterocyclic inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. 3. In vitro and in vivo potency of a series of peptidyl α-ketobenzoxazoles. J. Med. Chem. 1995, 38, 3972-3982. (c) Edwards, P. D.; Wolanin, D. J.; Andisik, D. W.; Davis, M. W. Peptidyl α-ketoheterocyclic inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. 2. Effect of varying the heterocyclic ring on in vitro potency. J. Med. Chem. 1995, 38, 76-85. (d) Tsutsumi, S.; Okonogi, T.; Shibahara, A.; Ohuchi, S.; Hatsushiba, E.; Patchett, A. A.; Christensen, B. G. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of peptidyl α-keto heterocycles as novel inhibitors of prolyl endopeptidase. J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 3492-3502].

Various α-ketoamide derivatives could also be prepared according to the alternative procedure depicted in Scheme 5.

Route a:

A Henry reaction between glyoxylic acid and nitroethane gave 23 after reduction and suitable protection. Coupling the required amino acids using standard methods gave 24 after removal of the benzyl ester. Incorporation of the appropriate amide function gave a series of alcohols 25 which were readily oxidized to the desired ketones using the Dess-Martin reagent (Dess, D. B.; Martin, J. C. Readily accessible 12-I-5 oxidant for the conversion of primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. J. Org. Chem. 1983, 48, 4155-4156).

Route b:

Alternatively, 23 could be hydrogenated to the corresponding acid and the appropriate P1′ amine coupled. Coupling the required amino acids using standard methods gave 25. The alcohol 25 was readily oxidized to the desired ketones as above.

The preparation of the unnatural amino acids adamantyl glycine and β,β-dimethyl aspartic acid are shown in Scheme 6.

Thus oxazolidinone 29 was obtained from acid 27 using procedures described previously (Gage, J. R.; Evans, D. A. Diastereoselective aldol condensation using a chiral oxazolidinone auxiliary: (2S*, 3S*)-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2-methylpropanoic acid. Org Syn. 1989, 68, 83-91). Formation of the enolate followed by treatment with TrisN₃ (Evans, D. A.; Britton, T. C.; Ellman, J. A.; Dorow, R. L. The asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids. 15 Electrophilic azidation of chiral imide enolates, a practical approach to the synthesis of (R)- and (S)-azido carboxylic acids. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 4011-4030) gave azide 30 which was hydrolyzed to yield acid 31 in a straightforward manner. To the carboxylate group of this azido acid was then introduced the appropriate amino acid residues. Capping the N-terminus was accomplished using standard coupling methods after reduction of the azide moiety. Using a similar approach, anhydride 32 was converted to protected azido acid 36.

The following examples are provided to describe the invention in further detail. These examples, which set forth the best mode presently contemplated for carrying the invention, are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention.

EXAMPLES

Unless otherwise noted, materials were obtained from commercial sources and used without further purification. The purity of each inhibitor was determined by HPLC, ¹H-NMR, and/or elemental analysis. ¹H-NMR spectra were obtained at 400 MHz on a Bruker AMX 400 spectrometer. FAB mass spectra were recorded on an Autospec, VG spectrometer. Column chromatography was performed either on silica gel (10-40 μm or 230-400 mesh ASTM, E. Merck) or by preparative HPLC using a Partisil 10 ODS-3, C₁₈ preparative column (50 cm×22 mm). Analytical HPLC were carried out on the following systems; System A: Vydac C18, 10 μm analytical column (24 cm×4.6 mm); mobile phase, acetonitrile/0.06% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water/0.06% TFA; System B: Vydac C18, 5 μm analytical column (15 cm×4.6 mm); mobile phase, acetonitrile in 50 mM NaH₂PO₄ at pH 4.4; System C: Vydac C_(8, 10) μm analytical column (24 cm×4.6 mm); mobile phase, acetonitrile in 20 mM Na₂HPO₄ at pH 8.0; System D: symmetry shield C8, 10 μm analytical column (15 cm×3.9 mm); mobile phase, acetonitrile in 20 mM Na₂HPO₄ at pH 9.0; System E: Supelcosil C8, 5 μm analytical column (15 cm×4.6 mm); mobile phase, acetonitrile/0.1% TFA in water/0.1% TFA at pH 2.0.

Abbreviations or symbols used in the examples, or throughout the present specification, include Boc, tertiary butyloxycarbonyl; BOP: benzothiazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate; DA-Tbg, desamino-tertiary-butylglycine (3,3-dimethylbutylbutanoic acid); DCC: N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodimide; DIC, 2-dimethylaminoisopropyl chloride hydrochloride; DMF, N,N,-dimethylformamide; DMSO, dimethylsulfoxide; DTT, dithiothreitol; EDC: 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide. hydrochloride salt; Fmoc, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl; HCMV, human cytomegalovirus; HOBt, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; MES, 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid; NMP, N-methylpyrrolidone; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; Ph, phenyl; PMSF, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride; QSAR, quantitative structure activity relationship; Tbg, tertiary- butylglycine; tBu, tertiary-butyl; TFA, trifluoroacetic acid; Trt, triphenylmethyl; TBTU, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate; TCEP, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride; TRIS, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane.

Example 1. General Procedure for the Solid Phase Synthesis of Peptides

1-Boc/DIC/HOBtPprotocol.

The peptides were assembled on a ACT396 peptide synthesizer sold by Advanced Chemtech (Louisville, Ky.). Each reaction vessels were charged with the appropriate resins 103 (0.25 mmol) and were successively washed with 3.5 mL portions of CH₂Cl₂ (2×), MeOH (2×) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×). The amino acids were coupled as their activated HOBt esters, utilizing 4.8 equivalents of the reagents as follows: A 0.5 M solution of a mixture of Fmoc-protected amino acid and HOBt in DMF (2.4 mL, 1.2 mmol of each) was added to the deprotected resin, followed by addition of a 0.5 M DIC solution in CH₂Cl₂ (2.4 mL, 1.2 mmol). The reaction vessel was shaken for 3.5 h. The reaction vessel was drained and the remaining resin was washed twice with 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂. Fresh portions of reagent solutions were added and the coupling step was repeated for 3.5 h. After the coupling, the resin was washed successively with 5 mL portions of CH₂Cl₂ (2×), MeOH (2×) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×). The Boc amino protecting groups was removed with a solution of 45% TFA in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL for 25 min) and washed as above. After the last coupling, an additional washing step with 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂ (3×) was done and the resin was dried in vacuo.

2-Fmoc/TBTU/HOBt Protocol.

The peptides were assembled as above except for the coupling which was done as follow: The resin was suspended in NMP (0.35 mL) and was treated with a 0.5 M solution of a mixture of Fmoc-protected amino acid and HOBt in NMP (1.8 mL, 0.9 mmol of each), a 0.5 M solution of TBTU in DMF (1.8 mL, 0.9 mmol) and a 1.0 M solution of DIPEA in NMP (1.8 mL. 1.8 mmol). The reaction vessel was shaken for 1.25 h, it was drained and the remaining resin was washed twice with 3.5 mL of DMF. Fresh portions of reagent solutions were added and the coupling step was repeated for 1.25 h. The deprotection of the Fmoc group was done by treating the resin with a 25% solution of piperidine in DMF for 25 minutes.

3-Boc/TBTU/HOBt Protocol.

The peptides were assembled on a COUPLER™ 250 C (VEGA Biotechnologies) or on an ACT 90 (Advanced ChemTech) peptide synthesizer. The reaction vessel was charged with the appropriate resins 103 (0.25 mmol) which was successively washed with 15 mL portions of CH₂Cl₂ (2×, MeOH (2×) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×). The amino acids were coupled as their activated HOBt esters, utilizing 3 equivalents of the reagents as follows: The resin was suspended in DMF (15 mL) and was treated with the Boc-protected amino acid (0.75 mmol), HOBt hydrate (0.75 mmol), DIPEA (1.5 mmol, 0.26 mL) and TBTU (0.75 mmol, 241 mg). The reaction vessel was shaken for 1 h and the completion of the coupling monitored by Kaiser test. In the case of incomplete couplings, the reaction vessel was drained and the resin was washed twice with 15 mL of CH₂CL₂. Fresh reagents were added and the coupling step was repeated for an extra hour. The reaction vessel was drained and the resin washed as above. The Boc protecting group was removed by successive treatment (5 min. then 20 min.) with 15 mL of a 45% solution of TFA in CH₂Cl₂. The resin was washed with CH₂CL₂ (2×), 5% DIPEA in CH₂CL₂ (1 min. then 5 min.), CH₂Cl₂ (2×), MeOH (2×) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×).

General Procedure for the Cleavage of the Peptidyl Activated Ketone from the Solid Support (according to scheme 3B)

The dried resin (˜800 mg) was suspended in THF (9 mL), H₂O(0.50 mL), AcOH (0.25 mL) and 1M aq. HCl (0.10 mL) and was heated in a bomb at 65° C. for four hours. The solution was cooled down, filtered and treated as above one more time. In the case where the sequence contained a basic residue such as lysine or histidine, an extra 0.05 mL of 1 M HCl was used and the procedure was repeated a third time. All the mother liquors were combined, the THF was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified on reversed phase HPLC (Whatman HPLC column, 22.0 mm×500 mm, Partisil 10 ODS-3 M/20-50, particle size 10 μm, solvents: A=0.06 % TFA/H₂O, B=75% CH₃CN-25% H₂O containing 0.06% TFA; gradient 0 to ˜50% B in 60 min). The desired peptidyl activated ketones 201-219 were isolated in yields reported in Example 62.

Example 2. Alternative Synthesis of α-ketoamides (according to scheme 5) Preparation of 3-{2-[2-(3,3-dimethyl-butyrylamino)-3,3-dimethyl-butyrylamino]-3-dimethylcarbamoylpropionylamino}-2-oxo-butyric acid benzyl amide (76, Table 6)

Preparation of α-hydroxy ester 23.

To a solution of nitroethane (4.0 g, 53 mmol) in ethanol (15 mL) was added aqueous NaOH (68 mL of 2N solution, 136 mmol). To this rapidly stirred solution was added glyoxylic acid (5.9 g, 64 mmol). The solution was stirred 15 h and then acidified with 10% aqueous HCl (pH 2) and the aqueous phase saturated with NaCl before extraction with EtOAc (3×150 mL). The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to give 8.1 g of a viscous yellow oil. This crude material was dissolved in ethanol (50 mL) containing Et₃N (18 mL, 119 mmol) and treated with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (12.2 g, 56 mmol) and Raney nickel (3 g) which had been washed with water immediately before use. Hydrogenation at 45 p.s.i for 20 h afforded after filtration through Celite and concentration, the crude acid (11.1 g). A portion of the crude acid (3.07 g, 14 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (30 mL) and treated with anhydrous K₂CO₃ (4.3 g, 30.8 mmol) and benzyl bromide (2.5 mL, 21 mmol). After stirring for 3 h at room temperature, the DMF was removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in EtOAc (150 mL) and washed with water (100 mL) and brine (80 mL). The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude yellow oil (4.3 g) was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (230-400 mesh), eluting with 33% EtOAc in hexane to provide pure benzyl ester 23 (1.8 g, 42% from nitroethane). HPLC (system C) 99%, (system D) 97%; IR (KBr) υ 3422, 3361, 1740, 1684 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, 1H), 5.19 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H), 4.82 (m, 1H), 4.36 and 4.35 (2×d, J=5.7 and 5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.11 (m, 1H), 3.10 (m, 1H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 0.97 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 310 (MH⁺), 210 (M−100); HRMS calcd for C₁₆H₂₄NO₅ (MH⁺) 310.1654, found: 310.1644; Anal (C₁₆H₂₃NO₅) C, H, N.

Synthesis of α-keto Acid 24.

The tert-butyloxycarbonyl

(Boc) group from ester 23 (4.0 g, 12.9 mmol) was removed using 4 N HCl/dioxane (30 mL) for 45 min at 0° C. The hydrochloride salt was obtained by concentration and coevaporation with toluene (15 mL). The HCl salt (12.9 mmol) was combined with EDC (2.6 g, 13.6 mmol, 1.1 equiv.), HOBt (1.8 g, 13.6 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) and Boc-Asn(NMe₂)—OH (3.4 g, 12.9 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) in DMF (50 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was cooled to 0° C. (ice bath) before iPr₂NEt (7.9 mL, 45.3 mmol, 3.5 equiv.) was added. The solution was then stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc (250 mL) and sat. aqueous NaHCO₃ (150 mL). The organic phase was washed with 5% aq. HCl (150 mL) and finally brine (150 mL). Drying (MgSO₄) was followed by filtration and concentration to give 6.0 g of crude material. In most cases the crude material was suitable for subsequent couplings without purification. After the final coupling, the α-hydroxy benzyl ester peptides were purified by flash chromatography. The acid 24 was then obtained from the benzyl ester (1.10 g, 2.0 mmol) by hydrogenation over 10% Pd/C (55 mg) in ethanol (30 mL) at atmospheric pressure over the course of a few hours to afford after filtration through a pad of Celite a white solid (0.95 g, 100% yield). HPLC (system A) 100%, (system C) 100%; IR (KBr)υ 3316, 1727, 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), mixture of 4 diastereomers, δ 8.06 and 8.01 (2×d, J=7.3 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.87, 7.79, 7.70 and 7.54 (4×d, J=8.6, 8.6, 8.9 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.09 and 7.03 (2×d, J=7.9 and 8.6 Hz, 0.5H), 6.72 (m, 0.5H), 6.52 (m, 0.25), 6.34 and 6.29 (2×d, J=7.6 and 7.3 Hz, 0.75H), 6.10-5.4 (br s, 1H), 4.99-4.88 (m, 0.5H), 4.87-4.78 (m, 0.5H), 4.66-4.37 (m, 2H), 4.33-4.09 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.15 (m, 0.3H), 3.05-2.85 (m, 6.7 H), 2.75-2.65 and 2.60-2.50 (m, 1H), 2.25-2.10 (m, 2H), 1.28-1.19 (m, 3H), 1.10-0.97 (m, 18H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.9, 173.5, 173.1, 173.0, 171.5, 171.0, 170.9, 170.8, 170.7, 170.5, 170.2, 73.03, 72.74, 60.9, 60.67, 50.3, 50.1, 49.5, 49.4, 48.1, 47.9, 47.7, 37.56, 35.9, 35.8, 35.7, 34.7, 34.4, 34.3, 33.8, 31.1, 29.9, 29.8, 26.9, 26.8, 26.7, 17.4, 17.2; FAB MS m/z: 473 (MH⁺), 495 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₄₁N₄O₇ (MH⁺) 473.2975, found: 473.2990; Anal (C₂₂H₄₀N₄O₇) C, H, N.

Coupling of the P₁′ residue was accomplished using the above general coupling protocol with the appropriate terminal amine (1.2 equiv.). The final oxidation step was performed by treatment of the prerequisite α-hydroxy amide (62 mg, 0.11 mmol) with 2 equivalents of the Dess-Martin periodinane (94 mg, 0.22 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) for 4 h. Addition of 10% sodium thiosulfate (5 mL) and sat. NaHCO₃ (5 mL) with stirring (15 min) was followed by extraction with EtOAc (3×10 mL) to give the desired α-ketoamide. Final purification was performed using preparative HPLC to afford 76 after lyophilization, (51 mg, 82% yield) as a white solid. HPLC (system C) 100%, (system D) 96.1%; IR (KBr) υ 3316, 1641, 1529 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereoisomers at P₁, δ 9.21-9.15 (m, 1H) 8.14 and 8.09 (2×d, 7.3 and 7.6 Hz, 1H), 8.03 and 7.97 (2×d, J=6.4 and 5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.3, 1H), 7.35-7.17 (m, 5H), 5.02-4.88 (m, 1H), 4.64-4.49 (m, 1H), 4.39-4.23 (m, 2H), 4.13 and 4.12 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.92 and 2.91 (2×s, 3H), 2.79 and 2.78 (2×s, 3H), 2.74-2.54 (m, 2H), 2.19 (br d, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 2.03 and 2.02 (2×d, J=12.4 and 12.7 Hz, 1H), 1.25 and 1.23 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.94 and 0.91 (2×s, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 560 (MH⁺), 582 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₆N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 560.3448, found: 560.3426.

Example 3 Alternative Preparation of Fmoc-Asp(Rink Resin)aminotrifluoromethyl alcohol (5) (according to scheme 2; R:Me)

4-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-1,1,1-trifluorobutan-2-ol (3).

This compound was prepared according to a literature procedure analogous to the preparation of the valine analogue (Skiles, J. W.; Fuchs, V.; Miao, C.; Sorcek, R.; Grozinger, K. G.; Mauldin, S. C.; Vitous, J.; Mui, P. W.; Jacober, S.; Chow, G.; Matteo, M.; Skoog, M.; Weldon, S. T.; Possanza, G.; Keirns, J.; Letts, G.; Rosenthal, A. Inhibition of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) by N-substituted peptidyl trifluoromethyl ketones. J. Med. Chem. 1992, 35, 641-662). IR (KBr) υ 3313 (br), 1681, 1527 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 6.84 and 6.43 (d, J=8.4 Hz and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 6.32 and 6.24 (d, J=6.9 and 7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.93-3.81 (m, 1.5H), 3.70 (quint, J=7.3 Hz, 0.5H), 1.373 and 1.371 (s, 9H), 1.10 and 1.07 (d, J=7.4 and 6.4 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 244 (MH⁺); Anal (C₉H₁₆F₃NO₃) C, H, N.

Fmoc-Asp(Ot-Bu)-aminotrifluoromethyl alcohol (4).

This compound was prepared in solution by coupling Fmoc-Asp(Ot-Bu)—OH and the alanine-derived aminotrifluoromethyl alcohol. HPLC (system A) 98%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3300, 1721, 1697, 1661, 1540 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.99-7.93 (m, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 7,70 (m, 2H), 7.55 (dd, J1=15.9 Hz, J2=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.45-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.29 (m, 2H), 6.41 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.40-4.19 (m, 4H), 4.06-3.88 (m, 2H), 2.66-2.58 (m, 1H), 2.44-2.40 (m, 1H), 1.37 (s, 9H), 1.08 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 537 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₇H₃₂F₃N₂O₆ (MH⁺) 537.2212, found: 537.2229.

The compound above was deprotected with 40% TFA in CH₂Cl₂ and coupled on a Rink resin with DCC/HOBt to afford (5).

Example 4 Preparation of Other Activated Ketones (according to scheme 4)

4-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropentan-3-ol (11).

To a dry 500 mL round bottom flask was added anhydrous Et₂O (100 mL) and a 1.5 M solution of MeLi·LiBr in Et₂O (100 mL, 150 mmol). This solution was subsequently cooled to −78° C. A second flask was cooled to −78° C. and charged with Et₂O (100 mL) and CF₃CF₂I (44.7 g, 182 mmol). The contents of this flask were then added via canula over 15 min to the MeLi·LiBr slurry. The resulting solution was stirred for 30 min at −78° C. before the Weinreb amide 10 (10.6, 45.5 mmol) was added in one portion. The reaction was stirred at −78° C. for 90 min and then allowed to warm to −30° C. for 2 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of sat. NH₄Cl (125 mL) . The organic phase was washed with H₂O (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to provide an orange oil. The oil was redissolved in 20% MeOH/THF (100 mL) and transferred to a 500 mL round bottom flask. The solution was cooled to 0° C. before NaBH₄ (1.9g, 50.1 mmole) was added portionwise over 5 min (Caution! foaming occurs). The reaction was subsequently stirred for 1 h at 0° C. Et₂O (200 mL) was added followed by 10% citric acid (100 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O (3×50 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), brine (1×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (20% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil 11, 12.3 g (92%). HPLC (system D) 100%, IR (KBr) υ 3368, 2987, 1687 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 25:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 6.87 (d, J=8.0, 1.5H), 6.42 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 0.5H), 6.32 and 6.25 (2×d, J=8.0 and 8.3 Hz, 1H), 4.08-3.78 (m, 2H), 1.37 (s, 9H), 1.13 and 1.08 (2×d, J=7.0 and 6.7 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 294 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₀H₁₇F₅NO₃ (MH⁺) 294.1129, found: 294.1138.

Benzyl 4-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxy-(4S)-pentanoate (13).

This material was prepared using a modification of the procedure previously described (Thaisrivongs, S.; Pals, P. T.; Kati, W. M.; Turner, S. R.; Thomasco, L. M.; Watt, W.; Design and synthesis of potent and specific renin inhibitors containing diflurostatine, difluorstatone, and related analogues. J. Med. Chem. 1986, 24, 2080-2087). Thus amide 10 (14.9 g, 64.3 mmol) was dissolved in THF (230 mL) at 0° C. LiAlH₄ (4.90 g, 129 mmol) was added in several portions over a period of 20 min, and the suspension was then stirred for 2 h at 0° C. This suspension was transferred via cannula into 500 mL of 10% aqueous citric acid and stirred for 1 h. The mixture was extracted with Et₂O (3×) and the combined organic phases washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to give the corresponding aldehyde as a white solid (10.7 g, 97%). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 9.57 (s, 1H), 5.09 (br, 1H), 4.23 (br, 1H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.34 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 3H). Zinc dust (16.2 g, 24.8 mmol) was placed in THF (40 mL) and sonicated 30 min. A solution of the aldehyde (10.7 g, 62 mmol) and ethyl bromodifluoroacetate (20 g, 99 mmol) was added over 30 min using a syringe pump while sonicating. Sonication was continued for 1.5 h before the suspension was poured into 500 mL of 10% aqueous citric acid and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The oil obtained contained 20% of the starting aldehyde but was used without further purification. The hydroxy ester (2.20 g, 7.40 mmol), benzylamine (3.96 g, 37.0 mmol) and i-Pr₂NEt (4.76 g, 37.0 mmol) were heated in refluxing ethanol for 18 h. The solution was concentrated to dryness, taken up into EtOAc and washed with 1 N HCl, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give a yellow oil. This material was purified by flash chromatography using TLC grade silica gel to give 13 as a white solid (1.17g, 44% over 2 steps).

HPLC (system B) 100%, (system C) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3344, 2979, 1684 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) 4:1 mixture of isomers δ 5 7.20 (m, 5H), 6.90 (br s, 1H), 4.75 (m, 1H), 4.45 (m, 2H), 4.08 (br s, 1H), 3.88 (m, 2H), 1.32 (s, 9H), 1.16 (d, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 164.58, 164.30, 164.02, 155.61, 139.31, 129.11, 127.97, 127.72, 119.99, 117.47, 114.88, 78.59, 71.91, 71.65, 71.44, 46.28, 43.04, 29.10, 19.35; FAB MS m/z: 359 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₇H₂₅F₂N₂O₄ (MH⁺) 359.1782, found: 359.1768; Anal (C₁₇H₂₄F₂N₂O₄) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-1-benzo[d][1,3]thiazol-2-yl-1-propanol (14).

This compound was prepared from methyl ester 12 using the procedure previously described (Tsutsumi, S.; Okonogi, T.; Shibahara, A.; Ohuchi, S.; Hatsushiba, E.; Patchett, A. A.; Christensen, B. G. Synthesis and 20 structure-activity relationships of peptidyl α-keto heterocycles as novel inhibitors of prolyl endopeptidase. J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 3492-3502). Thus a solution of 12 (28.1 g, 132 mmol) in THF (50 mL) was added dropwise to a suspension of LiAlH₄ (3.76 g, 396 mmol) in THF (200 mL) at 0° C. After complete addition the mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. Celite (34 g) was then added followed by the careful addition of water (34 mL), 2N NaOH (34 mL) and water (100 mL) and stirring was continued for an hour. The resulting white suspension was filtered, and the filter cake was washed with EtOAc. The desired alcohol was obtained as a colorless oil (21.07 g, 91%). ¹H-NMR (CDC₁ ₃) δ 4.66 (br s, 1H), 3.77 (br s, 1H), 3.68-3.61 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.47 (m, 1H), 2.65 (br s, 1H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.14 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H). To a solution of this alcohol (3.25 g, 18.5 mmol) and Et₃N (7.75 mL, 55.6 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (60 mL) and DMSO (28 mL) at 0° C. was added SO₃·py (8.85 g, 55.6 mmol) in small portions. The solution was then stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h before being poured into ice water and extracted three times with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to give an oil which was purified by flash chromatography to give the desired aldehyde (2.34 g, 73%) which was used immediately. ¹H-NMR (CDC₁ ₃) δ 9.57 (s, 1H), 5.09 (br, 1H), 4.23 (br, 1H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.34 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 3H). To a solution of benzothiazole (4.43 mL, 40.5 mmol) in THF (100 mL) at −78° C. was added nBuLi (26.5 mL of a 1.4M solution in hexanes, 37.15 mmol). After stirring for 30 min, a solution of the above aldehyde (2.34 g, 13.51 mmol) in THF was added. The solution was stirred for 72 min before being quenched by the addition of saturated NH₄Cl. Extraction with EtOAc was followed by a wash with brine and drying over MgSO₄. Flash chromatography afforded the desired product as an orange oil. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D, pH 7.4) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 3272, 1713 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 6:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.07-8.05 (m, 1H), 7.96-7.92 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.45 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.37 (m, 1H), 6.81 and 6.44 (2×d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.92-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.03-3.96 (m, 1H), 1.32 and 1.29 (2×s, 9H), 1.08 and 0.98 (2×d, J=6.7 and 6.7 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 309 (MH⁺), HRMS calcd for C₁SH₂lN₂O₃S (MH⁺) 309.1273, found: 309.1283.

(2S)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-benzo[d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl-1-propanol (16).

This compound was prepared from 15 and 2-aminophenol using the procedure previously described ((a) Edwards, P. D.; Meyer, E. F. Jr.; Vijayalakshmi, I.; Tuthill, P. A.; Andisik, D. A.; Gomes, B.; Strimpler, A. Design, synthesis, and kinetic evaluation of a unique class of elastase inhibitors, the peptidyl α-ketobenzoxazoles, and the X-ray crystal structure of the covalent complex between porcine pancreatic elastase and Ac-Ala-Pro-Val-2-benzoxazole. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 1854-1863). To a solution of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-(S)-alanine (20.0 g, 89.7 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) at 0° C., was added 1-1′-carbonyldiimidazole (18.2 g, 115.7 mmol). After 30 min of stirring at 0° C., Et₃N (16.1 mL, 115.7 mmol) was added followed by the addition of O,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (11.3 g, 115.7 mmol). The mixture was stirred 1 h at 0° C. and then at room temperature for 4 h. CH₂Cl₂ was added and the organic phase was washed twice with 10% aqueous HCl, saturated NaHCO₃ and brine and dried over MgSO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuo gave amide 15 (24.2 g) which was used without further purification. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.4-7.3 (m, 5H), 5.65-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.15-5.05 (m, 2H), 4.82-4.74 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.21 (s, 3H), 1.34 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H). This compound was dissolved in THF (350 mL) at 0° C. A 1.0 M solution of LiAlH₄ in THF (110 mL, 110 mmol) was added dropwise over 30 min. Stirring was then continued at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then cooled to 0° C. and a solution of KHSO₄ (22.4 g) in water (250 mL) was added carefully. After stirring at 0° C. for one hour, the solution was extracted with ether and washed twice with 10% aqueous HCl, twice with saturated NaHCO₃ and once with brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentration in vacuo to give the desired aldehyde (19.4 g) which was immediately dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (350 mL) and cooled to 0° C. A solution of NaHSO₃ (55.9 g, 540 mmol) in water (150 mL) was introduced and the resulting mixture stirred for one hour. NaCN (25.0 g, 511 mmol) was then added and stirring was continued overnight. The suspension was diluted with EtOAc (250 mL ) and hexanes (250 mL) and the layers separated. Washing with water and brine was followed by drying over MgSO₄ to afford the desired cyanohydrin (18.26 g, 83%) which was dissolved in benzene (350 mL) and stored at −20° C. To a mixture of ethanol (47.1 mL, 803 mmol) and CHC₁ ₃ (50 mL) at 0° C. was added AcCl (53.5 mL, 752 mmol). After stirring at 0° C. for 30 min. a solution of the above cyanohydrin (5.87 g, 25.1 mmol) in CHCl₃ (50 mL) was added dropwise and stirring was continued for an additional 2 h. The mixture was then concentrated in vacuo and taken up in ethanol (60 mL). The solution was refluxed in the presence of 2-aminophenol (3.01 g) overnight. The ethanol was removed and the residue taken up in EtOAc, washed twice with 15% NaOH, 10% HCl, NaHCO₃ and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Flash chromatography afforded the desired compound 16 as an orange syrup (4.81 g, 59%) which was used without further purification. An analytical sample was obtained by recrystallization from 30% EtOAc in hexanes. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system D) 99%: IR (KBr) υ 1692 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.75-7.68 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.19 (m, 8H), 6.22 and 6.10 (2×d, J=6.0 and 5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.03-4.71 (m, 3H), 4.14-4.01 (m, 1H), 1.20 and 1.11 (2×d, J=6.7 and 7.0 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 327 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₈H₁₉N₂O₄ (MH⁺) 327.1345, found: 327.1355; Anal (C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(oxazolo[4,5,b]pyridin-2-yl)-1-propanol (17).

This material was prepared as a 1:1 mixture of isomers in 12% yield from the above cyanohydrin (978 mg, 4.18 mmol) and 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine (505 mg, 4.60 mmol) using the procedure described above for compound 16. An analytical sample was obtained by recrystallization from EtOAc in hexanes (one isomer). mp: 159-161° C.; IR (KBr) υ 1719, 1699 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.53 (dd, J=4.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.18 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=8.1, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.08 (m, 6H), 6.33 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.00-4.82 (m, 2H), 4.74 (m, 1H), 4.10-4.00 (m, 1H), 1.21 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 169.34, 155.32, 154.73, 146.08, 142.32, 136.99, 128.21, 127.59, 127.37, 120.57, 119.04, 69.99, 64.99, 49.91, 16.31; FAB MS m/z: 328 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₇Hl₈N₃0₄ (MH⁺) 328.1297, found: 328.1286; Anal (C₁₇H₁₇N₃O₄) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(4-methylbenzo[d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl)-1-propanol (18).

This material was prepared as a 1:1 mixture of isomers in 35% yield from the above cyanohydrin (707 mg, 3.02 mmol) and 2-amino-m-cresol (409 mg, 3.32 mmol) using the procedure described above for compound 16. An analytical sample was obtained by recrystallization from EtOAc in hexanes (1.3:1 mixture of isomers). mp: 98° C.; IR (KBr) υ 1701, 1690 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.38-7.20 (m, 7H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 1H), 5.39 and 5.29 (2×d, J=7.9 and 5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.15-4.90 (m, 3H), 4.40 and 4.23 (2×br s, 2H), 2.58 (S, 3H), 1.34 and 1.14 (2×d, J=6.7 and 7.0 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.82, 164.22, 156.28, 156.12, 150.72, 150.65, 139.40, 136.27, 130.61, 130.43, 128.51, 128.40, 128.14, 128.01, 127.91, 125.20, 125.14, 125.04, 124.98, 108.20, 108.13, 71.02, 70.62, 66.96, 66.77, 50.45, 50.27, 17.35, 16.39, 12.24; FAB MS m/z: 341 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₄ (MH⁺) 341.1501, found: 341.1490; Anal (C₁₉H₂ON₂O₄) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(5-methylbenzo[d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl)-1-propanol (19).

This material was prepared as a 1:1 mixture of isomers in 53% yield from the above cyanohydrin (1.10 g, 4.70 mmol) and 2-amino-p-cresol (636 mg, 5.17 mmol) using the procedure described above for compound 16. An analytical sample was obtained by recrystallization from EtOAc in hexanes (7 : 1 mixture of isomers). mp: 134-135° C.; IR (KBr) υ 1718, 1691 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDC₁ ₃) δ 7.47-7.09 (m, 8H), 5.47 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 5.12-4.87 (m, 4H), 4.54-4.30 (m, 1H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 1.32 and 1.13 (2×d, J=6.7 and 6.7 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 165.90, 165.19, 156.09, 149.04, 140.24, 136.28, 134.38, 128.34, 128.09, 127.91, 126.32, 119.87, 119.69, 110.23, 70.84, 70.57, 66.92, 66.67, 50.48, 50.29, 21.34, 17.24, 15.32; FAB MS m/z: 341 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₄ (MH⁺) 341.1501, found: 341.1490; Anal (C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₄) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(6-methylbenzo[d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl)-1-propanol (20).

This material was prepared as a 1:1 mixture of isomers in 71% yield from the above cyanohydrin (1.44 g, 6.15 mmol) and 6-amino-m-cresol (832 mg, 6.77 mmol) using the procedure described above for compound 16. An analytical sample was obtained by recrystallization from EtOAc in hexanes (8:1 mixture of isomers). mp: 108-109° C.; IR (KBr) υ 1692 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.54 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.10 (m, 7H), 5.40 and 5.32 (d, J=8.9 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 5.14-4.85 (m, 3H), 4.42-4.28 (m, 2H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 1.33 and 1.14 (2×d, J=6.7 and 6.7 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDC₁ ₃) δ 165.08, 156.11, 151.24, 137.95, 136.28, 135.76, 128.52, 128.16, 127.99, 127.90, 125.89, 125.79, 119.38, 119.20, 111.09, 70.99, 70.69, 66.99, 66.76, 50.55, 50.26, 21.70, 17.29, 15.38; FAB MS m/z: 341 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₄ (MH⁺) 341.1501, found: 341.1490; Anal (C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₄) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(7-methylbenzo[d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl)-1-propanol (21).

This material was prepared as a 1:1 mixture of isomers in 57% yield from the above cyanohydrin (609 mg, 2.60 mmol) and 6-amino-o-cresol (330 mg, 2.60 mmol) using the procedure described above for compound 16. An analytical sample (1.2:1 mixture of isomers) was obtained by flash chromatography (30% EtOAc in hexanes). oil; IR (neat) υ 1705 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.50 (m, 1H), 7.35-7.10 (m, 7H), 5.50 and 5.38 (2×d, J=8.9 and 8.3 Hz, 1H), 5.15-4.90 (m, 3H), 4.41 (s, 1H), 2.36 (5, 3H), 1.35 and 1.14 (2×d, J=6.7 and 7.0 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 165.41, 164.85, 156.29, 156.12, 150.14, 139.67, 136.28, 128.50, 128.39, 128.13, 127.97, 127.84, 126.36, 126.31, 124.59, 124.51, 121.54, 117.28, 117.12, 70.99, 70.56, 66.96, 66.71, 50.42, 50.25, 17.41, 15.26, 15.08; FAB MS m/z: 341 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₄ (MH⁺) 341.1501, found: 341.1490; Anal (C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₄) C, H, N.

Example 5 Preparation of Unnatural Amino Acids (according to scheme 6)

(4S)-3-[2-(1-adamantyl)acetyl]-4-isopropyl-1,3-oxazolan-2-one (29).

1-Adamantaneacetic acid (1.0 g, 5.14 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) containing 1 drop of DMF. The mixture was stirred magnetically at 5° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxalyl chloride (1.1 equiv., 0.72 g, 496 μL, 5.66 mmol) was added dropwise over 20 min. After 2 h, dichloromethane was evaporated under vacuum. The residual oil was dissolved in benzene (10 mL) and concentrated to afford compound 28 (1.09 g, 100%) as a pale yellow oil which was used as such in the next reaction. To a solution of (4S)-(−)-4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidinone (0.66 g, 5.14 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) at −40° C. was added dropwise n-BuLi (3.22 mL, 1.6 M in hexanes, 5.14 mmol). After 30 min at −40° C., the reaction mixture was cooled to −78° C. The crude acid chloride 28 (1.09 g, 5.14 mmol) dissolved in THF (1 mL) was added dropwise. The mixture was then stirred magnetically at 0° C. for 1 h. Ethyl acetate was added and the organic phase was washed with 20% aqueous citric acid, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residual solid was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate (5/1) to provide pure 29 (1.26 g, 80%) as a white solid: mp 105-107° C.; [α]_(D) ²²+62° (c 1.54, MeOH); ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.48-4.44 (m, 1H), 4.24-4.16 (m, 2H), 2.91 (d, J=14 Hz, 1H), 2.71 (d, J=14 Hz, 1H), 2.38-2.33 (m, 1H), 2.00-1.94 (m, 3H), 1.75-1.61 (m, 12H), 0.92 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.21, 154.08, 62.84, 58.54, 46.71, 42.23, 36.73, 33.81, 28.63, 28.53, 18.04, 14.68; FAB MS m/z: 306 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₈H₂₈NO₃ (MH⁺) 306.2069, found: 306.2058; Anal (C₁₈H₂₇NO₃) C, H, N.

(2S)-2-(1-adamantyl)-2-azidoethanoic acid (31).

The oxazolidinone 29 (4.2 g, 13.7 mmol) was dissolved in THF (15 mL) and was added dropwise over 15 min to a solution of potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (20.1 mL, 0.69 M in THF, 13.9 mmol) at −78° C. After 45 min at −78° C., 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl azide (4.9 g, 15.8 mmol) in THF (10 mL) at −78° C. was added in one portion to the enolate. After 5 min, glacial acetic acid (4.6 equiv, 3.8 g, 3.61 mL, 63.2 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 1 h. Tetrahydrofuran was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in a mixture of EtOAc and water. The organic phase was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, followed by brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residual oil was dissolved in 75 mL of hexane/ethyl acetate (2/1). After 16 h at 25° C., the white precipitate was removed by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated to give an oily residue which was filtered through a pad of silica, washed with hexane/ethyl acetate (8/1). This material (crude 30, 1.3 g, 27%) was dissolved in THF/water (70 mL, 3/1) and H₂O₂ (4 equiv, 30%, 1.69 mL, 15 mmol) was added at 0° C. followed by LiOH·H₂O (2.1 equiv, 0.33 g, 7.88 mmol). After 45 min, 10% aqueous Na₂S₂O₃ (48 mL) and solid NaHCO₃ (0.22 g) were added. The reaction mixture was concentrated and ca 50 mL of water was added. The aqueous phase was washed with chloroform (4 times), acidified at 0° C. with 15% HCl, and extracted with EtOAc (3 times). The combined EtOAc extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to provide compound 31 (0.79 g, 90% from crude 30) as a white solid: mp 110-112° C.; [α]_(D) ²−36° (c 1.60, MeOH); ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.60 (s, 1H), 2.16-2.00 (m, 3H), 1.76-1.62 (m, 12H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.19, 72.51, 38.68, 37.50, 36.51, 28.19; FAB MS m/z: 236 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₂HI₈N₃O₂ (MH⁺) 236.1399, found: 236.1389; Anal (C₁₂H₁₇N₃O₂) C, H, N.

Benzyl 4-[(4S)-4-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,3-oxazolan-3-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoate (34).

n-Butyllithium (2.4 mL, 1.6 M in hexanes, 3.9 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of (4S)-(−)-4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidinone (0.5 g, 3.9 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at −40° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen. After 30 min at −40° C., the reaction mixture was cooled to −78° C. and 2,2-dimethylsuccinic anhydride (0.5 g, 3.9 mmol) dissolved in THF (2 mL) was added dropwise. The mixture was then stirred magnetically at 0° C. for 1 h. Ethyl acetate was added and the organic phase was washed with 20% aqueous citric acid, brine, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated to afford crude 33 as a pale yellow solid (1.0 g) which was dissolved in acetonitrile (5 mL) at 0° C. 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (0.59 g, 583 μL, 3.9 mmol) and benzyl bromide (0.67 g, 463 μL, 3.9 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was then stirred at 25° C. for 16 h. Acetonitrile was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned between EtOAc and 20% aqueous citric acid. The organic phase was washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate (4/1) to give pure 34 (0.88 g, 61% from 32) as a colorless oil; [α]_(D) ²²+560 (c 1.30, CHCl₃); ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.31-7.28 (m, 5H), 5.11 (m, 2H), 4.36-4.32 (m, 1H), 4.23-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.25 (s, 2H), 2.30-2.22 (m, 1H), 1.33 (s, 3H), 1.31 (s , 3H), 0.86 (d, J=7 Hz, 3H), 0.81 (d, J=7 Hz, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 176.73, 170.75, 154.03, 136.25, 128.35, 127.88, 66.24, 63.44, 58.27, 45.31, 40.24, 28.31, 25.62, 25.58, 17.84, 14.56; FAB MS m/z: 348 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₂₆NO₅ (MH⁺) 348.1811, found: 348.1822; Anal (C₁₉H₂₅NO₅) C, H, N.

Benzyl 3-azido-2,2-dimethylsuccinic acid (36).

The oxazolidinone 34 (8.67 g, 24.9 mmol) was dissolved in THF (27 mL) and was added dropwise over 15 min to a solution of potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (36.5 mL, 0.69 M in THF, 25.2 mmol) at −78° C. After 45 min at −78° C., 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl azide (8.89 g, 28.7 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at −78° C. was added in one portion to the enolate. After 5 min, glacial acetic acid (4.6 equiv, 6.90 g, 6.56 mL, 0.12 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 35-40° C. for 90 min. Tetrahydrofuran was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in a mixture of EtOAc and water. The organic phase was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in 150 mL of hexane/ethyl acetate (2/1). After 16 h at 25° C., the white precipitate was removed by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated to give an oil which was filtered through a pad of silica and rinsed with hexane/ethyl acetate (5/1). This pale yellow oil (crude 35, 5.37 g, 55%) was dissolved in THF/water (260 mL, 3/1) and H₂O₂ (4 equiv, 30%, 6.24 mL, 55 mmol) was added at 0° C., followed by LiOHH₂O (2.1 equiv, 1.22 g, 29 mmol). After 45 min, 10% aqueous Na₂S₂O₃ (175 mL) and solid NaHCO₃ (0.81 g) were added. Tetrahydrofuran was evaporated and the aqueous phase was extracted with chloroform (continuous liquid-liquid extraction, 24 h). The aqueous phase was then acidified with concentrated HCl at 0° C., and extracted with EtOAc (3 times). The combined EtOAc extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residual oil was purified by flash chromatography on Merck silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate/acetic acid (400/1) to give compound 36 (0.82 g, 21%) as a colorless oil; [α]_(D) ²²−74° (c 1.43, CHCl₃); ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.39-7.32 (m, 5H), 5.20-5.12 (m, 2H), 4.48 (s, 1H), 1.34 (s, 3H), 1.29 (s, 3H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.74, 173.86, 135.42, 128.56, 128.35, 128.13, 67.86, 67.18, 45.98, 23.01, 20.29; FAB MS m/z: 278 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₃H₁₆N₃O₄ (MH⁺) 278.1141, found: 278.1130; Anal (C₁₃H₁₅N₃O₄) C, H, N.

Example 6 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-2-methyl-1-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)methyl] carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]propylcarboxamido) butanediamide (37, Table 1)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system B) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 3400-3000 (br), 1637, 1548 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.51 and 8.49 (d, J=6.0 and 6.0 Hz, 0.5H), 8.08-8.02 (m, 2H), 7.83-7.76 (m, 2H), 7.47-7.30 (m, 1.5H), 6.95-6.88 (m, 2H), 4.61-4.52 (m, 1.5H), 4.26-4.06 (m, 2.5H), 3.79-3.67 (m, 2H), 2.67-2.32 (m, 2H), 1.99-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.85 (s, 3H), 1.26 and 1.25 (d, J=4.1 and 3.8 Hz, 1.5H), 1.06 (d, 6.7 Hz, 1.5H), 0.84-0.79 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 553 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₆F₃N₆O₇ (MH⁺) 553.2597, found: 553.2617.

Example 7 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-6-amino-2-((1S)-1-[((1S)-1-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-(methylcarboxamido) ethyl]carboxamido-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)carboxamido]-2-methylpropylcarboxamido)hexanamide (38, Table 1)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 98%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3500-2800 (br), 1643, 1516 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 3:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 8.68 (d, J=5.7 and 5.7 Hz, 0.25H), 8.08 and 8.03 (d, J=8.0 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (quartet, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (br s, 3H), 7.57 and 7.56 (d, J=10.9 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.02-6.95 (m, 2.75H), 6.61 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 4.94 (m, 1 H), 4.71-4.62 (m, 0.25H), 4.43 (m, 1H), 4.26 (m, 2H), 4.13 (m, 1.75H), 3.48 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.92 (m, 1H), 2.74 (br m, 3H), 1.95 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.83 (s, 3H), 1.62 (m, 1H), 1.51 (m, 2H), 1.08 (m, 3H), 1.08 and 1.07 (d, J=6.7 and 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.86-0.81 (m, 6H); FAB MS m/z 661 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₄F₃N₆O₈ (MH⁺) 661.3173, found: 661.3195.

Example 8 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (39, Table 1)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods from 3 (Example 3) and oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol with the Moffatt-Pfitzner method. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system B) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 3600-2800, 1636, 1546 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 3:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.53 (m, 0.25H), 8.09 and 8.06 (d, J=7.9 and 7.4 Hz, 1H); 7.89 and 7.87 (d, J=4.9 and 5.4 Hz, 1H), 7.72 and 7.70 (d, J=4.5 and 4.0 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 0.4H), 7.37-7.30 (m, 1.5H), 6.96-6.89 (m, 2.6H), 4,54 (m, 1H), 4.21-4.06 (m, 3H), 2.48-2.34 (m, 2H), 2.00-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.871 and 1.868 (s, 3H), 1.27 and 1.25 (d, J=4.5 and 3.9 Hz, 0.75H), 1.06 (d, 6.9 Hz, 2.25H), 0.84-0.80 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 496 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₀H₃₃F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 496.2382, found: 496.2387.

Example 9 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (40, Table 1)

This compound was prepared by solution using standard coupling methods. Final oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol was accomplished with the Moffatt-Pfitzner method. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D) 98%; IR (KBr)υ 1685, 1655, 1627 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 7:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.19 and 8.11 (2×d, J=7.6 and 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (m, 1H), 7.38 (m, 2H), 6.91 (m, 3H), 4.51 (m, 1H), 4.10 (m, 2H), 2.40 (m, 1H), 1.94 (m, 1H), 1.89 and 1.87 (2×s, 3H), 1.26 (m, 0.4H), 1.07 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2.6H), 0.83 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 6H); FAB MS m/z: 397 (MH⁺), 415 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₅H₂₄F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 397.1699, found: 397.1712.

Example 10 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanediamide (41, Table 1)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods from 3 (Example 3) and oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol with the Moffatt-Pfitzner method. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system D) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3387, 1696, 1653 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereoisomers at P₁, δ 8.65 and 8.59 (2×d, J=6.1 and 5.7 Hz, 0.1H), 8.09 and 8.04 (2×d, J=7.9 and 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.53 and 7.36 (2×d, J=9.2 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (br s, 1H), 6.96-6.87 (m, 3H), 4.61-4.47 (m, 1H), 4.05-4.15 (m, 1H), 2.49 and 2.31 (m, 2H), 1.25 (dd, J=7.0 and 4.4 Hz, 0.3H), 1.07 (dd, J=7.0 and 3.5 Hz, 2.7H); FAB MS m/z: 298 (MH⁺), 316 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₀H₁₅F₃N₃O₄ (MH⁺) 298.1015, found: 298.1026.

Example 11 N1-(3,3, 3-trifluoro-(1R)-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarbox-amido)propyl] carboxamidobutanediamide (42, Table 1)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods from 3 (Example 3) and oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol with the Moffatt-Pfitzner method. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system D) 97%; IR (KBr) υ 1685, 1671, 1638 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 20:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 6 8.11 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (br s, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 6.92 (br s, 1H), 4.52 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 2.45 (m, 2H), 1.95 (m, 1H), 1.26 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 0.05H), 1.07 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 2.95H), 0.84 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 6H); FAB MS m/z: 397.3 (MH⁺), 415.3 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₅H₂₃F₃N₄O₃ (MH⁺) 397.1699, found: 397.1707.

Example 12 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-(1S)-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamido}butanediamide (43, Table 1)

This compound was separated from 42 by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system D) 100%; IR (KBr)υ 1685, 1663, 1626 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) hydrated form only, δ 8.19 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (br s, 1H), 6.90 (br s, 1H), 4.51 (q, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 2.45 (m, 2H), 1.93 (m, 1H), 1.06 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.84 (m, 6H); FAB MS m/z: 397 (MH⁺), 415 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₅H₂₃F₃N₄O₃ (MH⁺) 397.1699, found: 397.1712.

Example 13 N1-(1-ethyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (44, Table 1)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin substituted as the ethyl analog (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 1640 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 7:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.55-8.47 (m, 0.14H), 8.09 and 8.05 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.90-7.87 (m, 1H), 7.71-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.24 (m, 2H), 6.92-6.77 (m, 3H), 4.59-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.23-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.96-3.87 (m, 1H), 2.67-2.32 (m, 2H), 2.01-1.90 (m, 2H), 1.87 and 1.86 (2×s, 3H), 1.79-1.71 (m, 1H), 1.40-1.28 (m, 1H), 0.89-0.74 (m, 15H); FAB MS m/z: 510 (MH⁺), 528 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₅F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 510.2539, found: 510.2558.

Example 14 N1-(1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (45, Table 1)

This compound was prepared by the same procedure as for 3 (Example 3), except 1-nitroethane was replaced by 1-nitrobutane. Standard solution coupling conditions were used to prepare the peptide inhibitor with final oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol using Moffatt-Pfitzner method. Purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 89%, (system D) 99%: IR (KBr) υ 3280, 1663, 1637, 1546 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 7:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.50 (m, 0.25H), 8.18 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 0.12H), 8.07 (m, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=7.95 Hz, 0.25H), 7.89 and 7.88 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 0.12H), 7.70 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.46-7.24 (m, 2H), 6.97-6.72 (m, 2.7H), 4.63-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.30 and 4.28 (2×d, J=6.7 and 6.7 Hz, 0.12H), 4.24-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.09-3.96 (m, 1H), 2.50-2.32 (m, 2H), 2.02-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.72-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.43-1.21 (m, 2H), 1.18-1.04 (m, 1H), 0.89-0.75 (m, 15H); FAB MS m/z: 524 (MH⁺), 542 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₇F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 524.2696, found: 524.2705.

Example 15 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]pentanediamide (46, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 86%, (system D) 82%; IR (KBr) υ 3281, 3079, 1647 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 2:3 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1.2:1 mixture of diastereoisomers at P₁, δ 8.72 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 0.16H), 8.70 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 0.18H), 7.90-8.02 (m, 0.8H), 7.90 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.68-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.56-7.61 (m, 0.3H), 7.10-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.90-7.00 (m, 1H), 6.70-6.75 (m, 1H), 4.60-4.69 (m, 0.4H), 4.07-4.29 (m, 3.7H), 2.00-2.09 (m, 2H), 1.90-1.98 (m, 2H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 1.83-1.61 (m, 2H), 1.28 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.5H), 1.27 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.6H), 1.08 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 1.4H), 1.07 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 1.2H), 0.81-0.84 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 510 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₅F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 510.2539, found: 510.2521.

Example 16 (3S)-3-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl)carboxamido]-3-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]propanoic acid (47, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 96%, (system B) 97%; IR (KBr) υ 3500-2800 (br), 1639, 1546 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), hydrated form only, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 12.29 (br s, 1H), 8.22 and 8.14 (d, J=7.8 and 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (m, 1H), 7.70 (m, 1H), 7.40 and 7.35 (d, J=8.8 and 9.4 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 4.53 (m, 1H), 4.17 (m, 2H), 4.11 (q, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 2.67-2.58 (m, 1H), 2.47 (m, 1H), 1.94 (m, 2H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.06 (m, 3H), 0.83 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 497 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₀H₃₂F₃N₄O₇ (MH⁺) 497.2223; found: 497.2237.

Example 17 N1-[(1S)-1-((1S)-2-hydroxy-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)-2-methylpropyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido) butanamide (48, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 94%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3500-2800, 1637, 1543 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), hydrated form only, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.94 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.73 and 7.71 (d, J=5.4 and 4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55 and 7.50 (8.9 and 9.4 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (br m, 2H), 4.31-4.10 (m, 4H), 3.57-3.47 (m, 3H), 1.97 (m, 2H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.09 and 1.08 (d, J=6.9 and 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.86-0.81 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 469 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₃₂F₃N₄O₆ (MH⁺) 469.2274, found: 469.2261.

Example 18 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-6-amino-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]hexanamide (49, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 98%, (system B) 96%; IR (KBr) υ 3227, 1638, 1545, 1189 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), hydrated form only, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.99 (2×d, J=7.9 and 7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.71 and 7.70 (2×d, J=8.7 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (t, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (m, 2H), 4.29-4.09 (m, 4H), 2.73 (m, 2H), 2.00-1.92 (m, 2H), 1.93 (s, 3H), 1.63-1.46 (m, 4H), 1.28-1.25 (m, 2H), 1.09 and 1.07 (2×d, J=6.9 and 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.85-0.82 (m, 12H); FAB MS (FAB) m/z: 510 (MH⁺), 528 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₉F₃N₅O₅ (MH⁺) 510.2903, found: 510.2888.

Example 19 N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-carbamoyl]ethylcarbamoyl) propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (50, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 98%, (system D) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 3276, 3084, 1638 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1.2 hydrate/non-hydrate, 1.2:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.99 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 0.55H), 8.98 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 0.45H), 8.77 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 0.19H), 8.71 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 0.23H), 8.09-8.17 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.88 (m, 1H), 7.67-7.90 (m, 1.43H), 7.55 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 0.25H), 7.29-7.34 (m, 1H), 6.94 (br s, 0.75H), 4.58-4.73 (m, 1.5H), 4.06-4.18 (m, 2.5H), 2.97-3.17 (m, 2H), 1.86-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.86 (s, 1.65H), 1.85 (s, 1.35H), 1.22 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 0.61H), 1.21 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 0.74H), 1.07 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.93H), 0.98 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 0.72H), 0.76-0.80 (m, 12 H); FAB MS m/z: 536 (MH⁺), 554 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₃F₃N₅O₅S (MH⁺) 536.2154, found: 536.2170.

Example 20 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (51, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) 1638 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.56-8.49 (m, 0.1H), 8.10-8.03 (m, 0.8H), 7.89-7.86 (m, 0.8H), 7.73-7.70 (m, 0.8H), 7.44-7.41 (m, 1H), 6.95-6.80 (m, 1.5H), 4.63-4.54 (m, 1H), 4.20-4.06 (m, 3H), 2.94-2.93 (m, 3H), 2.80-2.78 (m, 3H), 2.67-2.62 (m, 2H), 1.99-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.87-1.86 (m, 3H), 1.30-1.25 (m, 0.5H), 1.07-1.06 (m, 2.5H), 0.84-0.83 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 524 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₇F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 524.2696, found: 524.2710.

Example 21 N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-4-methyl-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]pentanamide (52, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system D) 97%; IR (KBr) υ 3268, 3080, 1632 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1.2 hydrate/non-hydrate, 1.2:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.72 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 0.25H), 8.70 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 0.3H), 7.91-8.10 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.88 (m, 1H), 7.74-7.80 (m, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 0.2H), 7.53 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 0.25H), 6.90-6.96 (m, 1H), 4.57-4.68 (m, 0.5H), 4.26-4.39 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.21 (m, 1H), 4.05-4.14 (m, 1.4H), 1.87-1.95 (m, 2H), 1.85 (s, 3H), 1.53-1.63 (m, 1H), 1.30-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.26 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.8H), 1.25 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.07 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 0.8H), 1.06 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 0.6H), 0.78-0.88 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 495 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₈F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 495.2794, found: 495.2803; Anal (C₂₂H₃₇F₃N₄O₅.H₂O C, H, N.

Example 22 N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-phenyl-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-ethylcarbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butan-amide (53, Table 2)

This compound was prepared by solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 98%, (system B) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 3280, 1636, 1546 cmhu −1 ; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.03 (m, 1H), 7.86 (m, 1H), 7.64 (m, 1H), 7.22 (m, 5H), 7.19 (m, 1H), 6.93 and 6.90 (2×d, J=14.3 and 13.7 Hz, 2H), 4.63-4.54 (m, 2H), 4.16-4.05 (m, 4H), 3.00-2.66 (m, 2H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 1.85 (m, 2H), 1.25, 1.21, 1.09 and 0.96 (4 ×d, J=7.4, 6.8, 6.9 and 7.9 Hz, 3H), 0.79 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 529 (MH⁺), 547 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₅H₃₆F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 529.2638, found: 529.2619.

Example 23 N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-propylcarbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (54, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). HPLC (system A) 84%, (system B) 83%; IR (KBr) 1633 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereoisomers at P₁, δ 8.78 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 0.25H), 8.71 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 0.25H), 7.88-7.60 (m, 3.5H), 6.98-6.87 (m, 1H), 4.70-4.64 (m, 0.5H), 4.22-4.09 (m, 3.5H), 1.97-1.91 (m, 3H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 1.28-1.26 (m, 1.7H), 1.09-1.07 (m, 1.3H), 0.88-0.78 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 481 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₆F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 481.2638; found: 481.2627.

Example 24 N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (55, Table 2)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3264, 1627, 1552 cm⁻¹I; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.98 and 7.92 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.88-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.72 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (t, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 6.95 and 6.91 (2×br s, 2H), 4.33-4.06 (m, 4H), 1.95 (m, 2H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.17-1.13 (m, 3H), 1.08 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.85-0.81 (m, 6H); FAB MS m/z: 453 (MH⁺), 471 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₃₂F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 453.2325, found: 453.2338.

Example 25 N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1R)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (56, Table 2)

This compound was separated from 55 by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) 1634 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.63 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 0.1H), 8.56 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 0.1H), 8.18-8.12 (m, 0.2H), 8.01 (d, J=7 Hz, 0.3H), 7.96 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 0.3H), 7.89-7.74 (m, 1.8H), 7.65 (d, J=9 Hz, 0.3H), 7.60 (d, J=9.5 Hz, 0.3H), 6.96 -6.92 (m, 1.3H), 4.68-4.59 (m, 0.3H), 4.34-4.25 (m, 1H), 4.19-4.02 (m, 2.7H), 1.98-1.89 (m, 2H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 1.31-1.29 (m, 0.8H), 1.19-1.07 (m, 5.2H), 0.86-0.82 (m, 12H); FAB MS m/z: 453 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₃₂F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 453.2325; found: 453.2338.

Example 26 N4, N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (57, Table 3)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D, pH 7.4) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 3283, 1642 cm⁻; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 19:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.05 and 8.01 (2×d, J=7.6 and 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.91-7.82 (m, 2H), 7.43 and 7.39 (2×d, J=9.2 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.01-6.80 (m, 2H), 4.61-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.22-4.00 (m, 3H), 2.94 and 2.93 (2×s, 3H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.71-2.59 (m, 2H), 2.00-1.90 (m, 1H), 1.87 and 1.86 (2×s, 3H), 1.73-1.61 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.45 (m, 1H), 1.27 and 1.26 (2×d, J=6.7 and 6.7 Hz, 0.15H), 1.06 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 3H), 0.87-0.78 (m, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 510.3 (MH⁺), 528.3 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₅F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 510.2539, found: 510.2526.

Example 27 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl)carboxamido]-butanediamide (58, Table 3)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3500-2900, 1640, 1538 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), hydrated form only, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.20 and 8.13 (d, J=7.4 and 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.91 and 7.91 (d, J=9.0 and 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.56 and 7.55 (d, J=9.3 and 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.50 and 7.43 (d, J=9.3 and 9.3 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (br s, 1H), 6.81 (br s, 1H), 4.57 (m, 1H), 4.23 (m, 2H), 4.11 (m, 1H), 2.95 and 2.94 (s, 3H), 2.80 and 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.72-2.57 (m, 2 H), 1.95 (m, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.07 and 1.06 (d, J=8.1 and 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.83 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H); FAB MS m/z: 538 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₃H₃₉F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 538.2852, found: 538.2843.

Example 28 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido butyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (59, Table 3)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D, pH 7.4) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 3285, 1644 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 16:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 3:2 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.05 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.91-7.79 (m, 2H), 7.43 and 7.39 (2×d, J=9.2 and 9.2, 1H), 7.11-6.66 (br s, 2H hydrate), 4.62-4.49 (m, 1H), 4.36-4.25 (m, 1H), 4.16-4.02 (m, 2H), 2.94 and 2.93 (2×s, 3H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.71-2.55 (m, 2H), 1.99-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.85 and 1.84 (2×s, 3H), 1.67-1.58 (m, 1H), 1.46 (dd, J=14.2 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 1.28-1.25 (m, 0.2H), 1.06 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 2.8H), 0.86 (s, 9H), 0.83 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.81 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 552 (MH⁺), 570 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₄H₄₁F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 552.3009, found: 552.3031.

Example 29 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((S)-1-(1-adamantyl)-1-[(1 S) -2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido methyl)carboxamido]butane-diamide (60, Table 3)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods and oxidized with Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 3293, 1641, 1533 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 4:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.58 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 0.1H), 8.47 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 0.1H), 8.22-8.12 (m, 1H), 7.94-7.91 (m, 1H), 7.49-7.38 (m, 1.9H), 6.94 (br s, 1H), 6.86 (br s, 1H), 4.60-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.24-4.20 (m, 1H), 4.13-3.98 (m, 2H), 2.94 (s, 1.5H), 2.93 (s, 1.5H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 2.74-2.57 (m, 2H), 2.00-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.94-1.86 (m, 3H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.64-1.48 (m, 12H), 1.26-1.25 (m, 0.6H), 1.07 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 2.4H), 0.82 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 6H); FAB MS m/z: 616 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₅F₃N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 616.3322, found: 616.3335; Anal (C₂₉H₄₄F₃N₅O₆H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 30 (3S)-3-((1S)-2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-ethylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropanoic acid (61, Table 3)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods. The β,β-dimethyl aspartic acid residue was incorporated as the γ-benzyl ester derivative. Oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol was accomplished with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 96%, (system D) 98%, IR (KBr) υ 1654, 1532 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.98-7.89 (m, 2 H), 7.76 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 0.5H), 7.67 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 0.5H), 7.53 (d, J=9 Hz, 0.5H), 7.48 (d, J=9 Hz, 0.5H), 6.92 (br s, 1H), 6.83 (br s, 1H), 4.75 (d, J=9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.57-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.27-4.19 (m, 1H), 4.18-4.03 (m, 1H), 2.94 (s, 1.5H), 2.93 (s, 1.5H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.71-2.57 (m, 2H), 2.04-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.08-1.05 (m, 9H), 0.85 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 3H), 0.83 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 568 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₃H₃₇F₃N₅0₈ (MH⁺) 568.2594; found: 568.2505.

Example 31 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamidobutanediamide (62, Table 4)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods and the trifluoromethyl alcohol oxidized with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system E) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 1640 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, 6 8.06 and 7.94 (2×d, J=7.6 and 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.22 and 7.21 (2×d, J=8.9 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.42-4.34 (m, 1H), 4.01 and 3.96 (2×d, J=8.9 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.95-3.89 (m, 1H), 2.77 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 3H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 2.59-2.42 (m, 2H), 1.72 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 3H), 1.09 and 0.89 (2×d, J=7.0 and 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.73 and 0.72 (2×s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 439 (MH⁺), 457 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₈H₃₀F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 439.2168, found: 439.2154.

Example 32 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-1-[(4-hydroxyphenethyl)carboxamido]-2,2-dimethylpropylcarboxamido) butanediamide (63, Table 4)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed on a preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system B) 95%; IR (KBr) υ 1636 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 16:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1.4:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 9.20-9.00 (m, 1H), 8.23 and 8.13 (2×d, J=7.4 and 7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.0 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 6.99-6.75 (m, 1.5H hydrate), 6.65-6.62 (m, 2H), 4.62-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.20 and 4.17 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.15-4.05 (m, 1H), 2.96 and 2.95 (2×s, 3H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.72-2.60 (m, 4H), 2.50-2.45 (m, 1H), 2.45-2.35 (m, 1H), 1.27 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.1H), 1.75 (m, 2.8H), 0.86 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 545 (MH⁺), 563 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₅H₃₆F₃N₄O₆ (MH⁺) 545.2587, found 545.2602.

Example 33 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-1-(isobutylcarboxamido)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (64, Table 4)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 95%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 1636 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 19:1 mixture hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.21 and 8.11 (2×d, J=7.2 and 7.2 Hz, JH), 7.73 and 7.72 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44 and 7.40 (2×d, J=9.6 and 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.1-6.7 (br, 1.7H hydrate), 4.60-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.21 and 4.19 (2×d, J=9.0 and 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.15-4.04 (m, 1H), 2.96 and 2.95 (2×s, 3H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.74-2.58 (m, 2H), 2.14 and 2.12 (2×d, J=13.2 and 12.9 Hz, 1H), 2.08 (m, 1H), 1.96 (m, 1H), 1.07-1.04 (m, 3H) 0.90 (s, 9H), 0.87 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.86 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 481 (MH⁺), 499 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₆F₃N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 481.2638, found 481.2627.

Example 34 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (65, Table 4)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system B) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 1635 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 29:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.20 and 8.10 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.44 and 7.43 (2×d, J=9.2 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.95-6.75 (m, 1.7H), 4.56 (quintet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 4.19 and 4.16 (2×d, J=8.9 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 4.12-4.05 (m, 1H), 2.95 and 2.94 (2×s, 3H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 2.75-2.60 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.15 (m, 1H), 2.04 and 2.01 (2×d, J=12.7 and 12.4 Hz, 1H), 1.07-1.04 (m, 3H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.90 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 495 (MH⁺), 513 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₃₈F₃N₄0₅ (MH⁺) 495.2794, found 495.2777.

Example 35 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-1-[(3,3-dimethyl-butyl)amino]-2,2-dimethylpropylcarboxamido) butanediamide (66, Table 4)

This compound was prepared by solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). The final reductive amination on the terminal t-butyl glycine amine (0.3 mmol) was performed on solid phase by addition of 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde (376 mL, 3.0 mmol) in DMF (15 mL with acetic acid (150 mL), and NaBH₃CN (63 mg, 1 mmol) for 20 h. After removal of the solvent, the resin was cleaved in the usual fashion. After purification by preparative HPLC the compound was obtained as a white solid (20.6 mg) after lyophilization. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system D) 97%; IR (KBr) υ 2960, 1667 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.79-8.72 (m, 2H), 8.04 (br s, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 0.5H), 7.67 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 0.5H), 6.97-6.96 (m, 1.3H), 6.91 (s, 0.6H), 4.82-4.75 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.11 (m, 1H), 3.61 (d, J=9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.94 (m, 3H), 2.87 (m, 1H), 2.79 (m, 3H), 2.70-2.65 (m, 3H), 1.66-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.44 (m, 1H), 1.29-1.24 (m, 1H), 1.08 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.02 (s, 5.4H), 0.99 (s, 3.6H), 0.89 (s, 3.6H), 0.89 (s, 5.4H); FAB MS m/z: 481 (MH⁺), 499 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₄₀F₃N₄O₄ (MH⁺) 481.3002, found: 481.2991.

Example 36 4N,4N-Dimethyl-1N-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl-2-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino)-2,2-dimethyl-(1S)-propylcarboxamido]-(2S)-butanediamide (67, Table 4)

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). The final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system B) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 3500-2900, 1641, 1510 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 5:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.56 (br d, J=5.1 Hz, 0.15H), 8.10-8.00 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.46 (m, 1H), 6.93-6.82 (m, 1.7H), 6.50-6.49 (m, 1H), 4.62 (m, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H), 3.84 (m, 1H), 2.95 (m, 3H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.65 (m, 2H), 1.38 (s, 9H), 1.26 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 0.45H), 1.06 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2.55H), 0.88 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 497 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₆F₃N₄O₆ (MH⁺) 497.2587, found: 497.2601.

Example 37 N4,N4-Dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl-2-[1-(tert-butylaminocarbonyl-amino)-2,2-dimethyl-(1S)-propylcarboxamido]-(2S)-butanediamide (68, Table 4)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system D) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 1641 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, 8 8.15 and 8.09 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 and 7.43 (2×d, J=8.9 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.00 (s, 1H), 5.97-5.93 (m, 1H), 4.58-4.53 (m, 1H), 4.11-4.03 (m, 1H), 3.94-3.91 (m, 1H), 2.95 (d, J=5 Hz, 3H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 2.67-2.60 (m, 2H), 1.20 (s, 9H), 1.07-1.05 (m, 3H), 0.86 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 496 (MH⁺), 514 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₇F₃N₅O₅ (MH⁺) 496.2747, found: 496.2765.

Example 38 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-1-[(dimethylamino)methyl]carboxamido-2,2-dimethylpropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (69, Table 4)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 1654, 1540, 1186 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 9:1 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 9.61 (br s, 1H), 8.68 and 8.66 (2×d, J=9.0 and 8.5 Hz, 1 H), 8.37 and 8.30 (2×d, J=7.5 and 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.48 and 7.45 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.0 Hz, 1H), 6.95-6.87 (m, 2H), 4.63-4.54 (m, 1H), 4.35-4.32 (m, 1H), 4.12-3.94 (m, 3H), 2.95-2.94 (m, 3H), 2.95-2.94 (m, 3H), 2.80-2.78 (m, 9H), 2.72-2.56 (m, 2H), 1.26-1.24 (m, 0.3H), 1.07-1.06 (m, 2.7H), 0.92 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 482 (MH⁺), 500.1 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₀H₃₅F₃N₅O₅ (MH⁺) 482.2590, found: 482.2599.

Example 39 4-[(1S)-1-((1S)-2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl] ethylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]carbamoylbutanoic acid (70, Table 4)

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods. The final P₄ residue was introduced by the opening of glutaric anhydride in Et₃N. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 100%, (system D) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 1638, 1537, 1176 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.22 and 8.12 (2×d, J=7.5 and 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.43 and 7.39 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.0 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (br s, 0.8H), 6.81 (br s, 0.8H), 4.60-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.21-4.18 (m, 1H), 4.12-4.05 (m, 1H), 2.95-2.94 (m, 3H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 2.68-2.63 (m, 2H), 2.28-2.14 (m, 4H), 1.73-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.11-1.05 (m, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 511.2 (MH⁺), 529 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₃₄F₃N₄O₇ (MH⁺) 511.2379, found: 511.2363; Anal (C₂₁H₃₃F₃N₄O₇.2H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 40 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-1-amino-2,2-dimethylpropyl] carboxamidobutanediamide

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the activated ketone resin (Example 1). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system D) 99%, (system E) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 1670 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 2:1 hydrate/non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.87 and 8.80 (2×d, J=5.7 and 6.4 Hz, 0.4H), 8.56-8.49 (m, 1H), 8.02 (br s, 3H), 7.69 and 7.64 (2×d, J=9.0 and 9.2 Hz, 0.6H), 6.96, 6.95, 6.88 and 6.83 (4 ×s, 1.3H), 4.73-4.63 (m, 1.4H), 4.14-4.08 (m, 0.6H), 3.55-3.48 (m, 1H), 2.96 (s, 3H), 2.82 (s, 3H), 2.74-2.58 (m, 2H), 1.25 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 1.08 and 1.07 (2×d, J=6.7 and 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.01-0.96 (m, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 397 (MH⁺), 415 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₆H₂₈F₃N₄O₄ (MH⁺) 397.2063, found: 397.2077.

Example 41 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl] carboxamidobutanediamide

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods. The 2-hydroxy isobutyric acid moiety was introduced as the acetyl derivative. Oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane was followed by cleavage of the acetate group with aq. NaOH. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 92%, (system D) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 1641 cm ¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 2:1 hydrate, non-hydrate, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.83 and 7.79 (2×d, J=7.9 and 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.67 (m, 0.3H), 7.57 and 7.52 (2×d, J=9.2 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.04-6.82 (m, 2H, hydrate), 5.69-5.47 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.55 (m, 1H), 4.19-4.05 (m, 1H), 2.95 and 2.94 (2×s, 3H) 2.80 and 2.79 (2×s, 3H), 2.79-2.53 (m, 3H), 1.39-1.02 (m, 3H), 0.87 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 398 (MH⁺), 416 (M+19); HRMS calcd. for C₁₆H₂₇F₃N₃O₅ (MH⁺) 398.1903, found: 398.1892.

Example 42 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-(neopentylcarboxamido)-butanediamide

This compound was prepared in solution using standard coupling methods and final oxidation of the trifluoromethyl alcohol was accomplished with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system D) 97%, (system E) 99%; IR (KBr) υ 1638 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 2:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, 6 7.80-7.77 (m, 1H), 7.27 and 7.22 (2×d, J=9.2 and 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.42 (m, 1H), 3.98-3.92 (m, 1H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.64 (s, 3H), 2.55-2.40 (m, 2H), 1.84 (s, 2H), 1.10 and 0.92 (2×d, J=6.9 and 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.79 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 382 (MH⁺), 400 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₁₆H₂₇F₃N₃O₄ (MH⁺) 382.1954, found: 382.1968.

Example 43 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentyl carboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (74, Table 5)

Compound 11 (0.92 g, 3.14 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/dioxane (1.5 h) before being concentrated in vacuo. The resulting hydrochloride salt (3.14 mmol) was combined with Boc-Asn(γ-NMe₂)—OH (0.93 g, 3.45 mmol), TBTU (1.21 g, 3.77 mmol), HOBt (0.51 g, 1.2 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (1.64 mL, 9.42 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL). After 3 h at rt, the mixture was extracted into EtOAc and washed with 1 N HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (4:1 EtOAc/hexane) to give the coupled product (0.594 g, 43%). HPLC (system A) 93%; ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃), 1.3:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 6.92 (bs, 0.6H), 6.66 (d, J=7.95 Hz, 0.4H), 5.80 (m, 1H), 4.71 (bs, 0.4H), 4.50 (m, 1.6H), 4.45-4.20 (m, 2H), 3.34 (dd, J=16.85 and 16.85 Hz, 0.4H), 3.06-2.97(m, 0.6H), 3.045 and 3.04 (2×s, 3H), 3.02 and 3.00 (2×s, 3H), 2.67 (dd, J=7.63 and 7.63 Hz, 0.6H), 2.58 (dd, J=16.85 and 16.85 Hz, 0.4H), 1.48 and 1.46 (2×s, 9H), 1.32 (t, J=7.95 Hz, 3H). The dipeptide (0.43 g, 0.99 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/dioxane (10 mL) for 2 h before being concentrated in vacuo. The resulting hydrochloride salt (0.99 mmol) was combined with Boc-Tbg-OH (0.254 g, 1.1 mmol), BOP (0.487 g, 1.1 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.52 mL, 3.0 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL). After 2.5 h at rt, the mixture was extracted into EtOAc and washed with 1 N HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (1:1 EtOAc/hexane) to give the coupled product as a white solid (0.33 g, 60%). HPLC (system A) 99%; ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃), 1.3:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 8.15 (m, 0.4H), 7.73 (m, 0.6H), 7.37 (m, 0.6H), 7.10 (m, 0.4H), 5.12 (m, 1H), 4.77 (m, 0.7H), 4.69 (m, 1.3H), 4.25 (m, 2H), 3.76 (m, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J=15.9 and 15.9 Hz, 0.4H), 3.16 (dd, J=12.4 and 12.4 Hz, 0.6H), 3.06 and 3.03 (2×s, 3H), 2.94 and 2.92 (2×s, 3H), 2.55 (dd, J=7.0 and 7.0 Hz, 0.6H), 2.39 (dd, J=11.4 and 11.4 Hz, 0.4H), 1.46 and 1.45 (2×s, 9H), 1.37-1.25 (m, 3H), 1.06 and 1.03 (2×s, 9H). This peptide (0.30 g, 0.67 mmol) was then treated with 4 N HC_(l/dioxane ()10 mL) and concentrated in vacuo. The hydrochloride salt was combined with tert-butylacetic acid (0.094 μL, 0.74 mmol), BOP (0.33 g, 0.74 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (0.23 mL, 1.34 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred 3.5 h at rt. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with 1 N HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to give the desired peptide as a white solid (0.297 g, 88%). HPLC (system A) 99%); ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.79 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.18 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 5.21 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 4.82-4.78 (m, 1H), 4.39-4.31 (m, 1H), 4.23-4.10 (m, 2H), 3.11-3.06 (dd, J=16.2 and 15.7 Hz, 1H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.91 (s, 3H), 2.52 (dd, J=16.2 and 15.9 Hz, 1H), 2.18 (s, 2H), 1.27 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (s, 9H), 1.05 (s, 9H). The alcohol (0.26 g, 0.48 mmol) so obtained was combined with Dess-Martin periodinane (0.51 g, 1.19 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) and stirred for 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and treated with a 1:1 mixture of 10% Na₂S₂0₃: saturated NaHCO₃ (10 mL) for 15 min. After extraction with EtOAc the organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The pentafluoroethyl ketone was obtained by trituration with 3:1 hexane/EtOAc to give 74 as a white solid (0.217 g, 84%). IR (KBr) υ 1685, 1618 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) 3:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.20 and 8.14 (2×d, J=7.5 and 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (m, 2H), 4.58 (m, 1H), 4.16 (m, 2H), 2.95 and 2.80 (2×s, 6H), 2.70 (m, 2H), 2.11 (m, 2H), 1.08 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.91 (s, 9H); HRMS calcd for C₂₃H₃₈F₅N₄O₅ (MH⁺) 545.2762, found: 545.2775.

Example 44 N1-[3-(benzylcarbamoyl)-3,3-difluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutane diamide (75, Table 5)

Compound 13 (0.263 g, 0.73 mmol) was treated with 4N HCl/dioxane (6 mL) for 30 min before being concentrated in vacuo. The resulting hydrochloride salt was combined with BOP (0.39 g, 0.88 mmol), Boc-Asn(γ-NMe₂)—OH (0.191 g, 0.73 mmol) and i-Pr₂NEt (0.32 mL, 1.83 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL). After 4 h, the reaction was poured into EtOAc and washed sequentially with 1N HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The material was trituated with 3:7 hexane:EtOAc to give a white solid (0.30 g, 82%). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.41-7.28 (m, 6H), 6.98-6.94 (m br, 1H), 5.56-5.51 (m br, 1H), 4.59-4.42 (m, 4H), 4.11-4.03 (m, 2H), 3.11-3.05 (m, 1H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.88 (s, 3H), 2.61-2.54 (m, 1H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.32 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H). This material (0.27 g, 0.54 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/dioxane (6 mL) for 30 min before being concentrated in vacuo. The hydrochloride salt (0.54 mmol) was combined with Boc-Tbg-OH (0.125 g, 0.54 mmol), BOP (0.286 g, 0.65 mmol) and i-Pr₂NEt (0.23 mL, 1.35 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) and stirred for 4 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 1 N HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine before being dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The product was purified by flash chromatography using TLC grade silica gel to afford a white solid (0.25 g, 76%). ¹H-NMR (CDC₁ ₃) δ 8.06 (s br, 1H), 7.68 (s br, 1H), 7.33-7.26 (m, 6H), 5.11 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 4.67 (dd, J=14.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.50 (s br, 1H), 4.32-4.22 (m, 3H), 4.13-4.07 (m, 1H), 3.71 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 3.23-3.20 (m, 1H), 3.00 (s, 3H), 2.87 (s, 3H), 2.43-2.38 (dd, J=15.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 1.49 (s, 9H), 1.22 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.02 (s, 9H). This peptide (0.25 g, 0.41 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/dioxane (3 mL) and stirred 1 h before being concentrated in vacuo. The hydrochloride salt (0.41 mmol) was combined with tert-butylacetic acid (52 μL, 0.41 mmol), BOP (0.216 g, 0.49 mmol) and i-Pr₂NEt (0.18 mL, 1.02 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) and stirred 4 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 1 N HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine before being dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The product was purified by flash chromatography using TLC grade silica gel (5% MeOH/EtOAc) to give the fully elaborated peptide as a white solid (0.191 g, 77%). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.65 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37-7.27 (m, 7H), 5.97 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 4.65-4.59 (m, 2H), 4.46 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.35 (dd, J=15.0, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.28-4.24 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.06 (m, 1H), 4.02 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.16 (dd, J=15.9, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.87 (s, 3H), 2.45 (dd, J=15.6, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 2.19 (dd, J=18.1, 13.0 Hz, 2H), 1.24 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (s, 9H), 1.03 (s, 9H). The peptide (0.15 g, 0.245 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) and treated with Dess-Martin periodinane (0.10 g, 0.245 mmol) and stirred at rt for 5 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and treated with a 1:1 mixture of 10% Na₂S₂O₃: saturated NaHCO₃ (15 min). The organic phase was washed sequentially with saturated NaHCO₃, 10% citric acid, and brine before being dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The final product was purified by preparative HPLC to give, after lyophilization, compound 75 as a white solid (0.115 g, 77%). IR (KBr) υ 3293, 1680, 1635 cm⁻¹, ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃), 1:3 mixture of hydrate/non-hydrate, 6 9.65-9.55 (m, 0.25H), 8.99-8.47 (m, 0.75H), 8.20-8.15 (m, 1H), 7.65-7.55 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.20 (m, 6H), 6.55 (br s, 0.25H), 6.34 (br s, 0.75H), 4.80-4.72 (m, 0.25H), 4.59-4.53 (m, 1H), 4.42-4.26 (m, 2H), 4.26-4.16 (m, 1.5H), 4.11 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 0.25), 2.96 (s, 2.25H), 2.93 (s, 0.75H), 2.79 (s, 0.75H), 2.77 (s, 2.25H), 2.68 (m, 2H), 2.25-2.18 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.24 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.75H), 1.06 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2.25H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.90 (s, 9H); ¹³C-NMR (100.6 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 197.32, 197.06, 196.79, 171.46, 171.08, 170.98, 170.49, 170.33, 169.86, 169.34, 161.15, 160.88, 160.62, 138.54, 138.04, 128.53, 128.40, 127.43, 127.27, 127.21, 126.98, 112.32, 109.68, 107.04, 60.45, 59.80, 50.04, 49.87, 49.58, 48.44, 48.26, 42.60, 42.36, 36.81, 35.03, 34.28, 33.89, 30.74, 29.84, 26.83, 15.54; HRMS calcd for C₃₀H₄₆F₂N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 610.3416, found: 610.3395.

Example 45 N1-[2-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (77, Table 5)

A mixture of 16 (265 mg, 0.81 mmol) and 10% Pd on carbon (79 mg) in ethanol (20 mL) was stirred under an atmosphere of hydrogen for 1 h. The solution was then filtered through a glass microfiber and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (6 mL) and Boc-Asn(γ-NMe₂)-OH (222 mg, 0.85 mmol), HOBt (220 mg, 1.63 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (0.56 mL, 3.25 mmol) and EDC (169 mg, 0.88 mmol) were added. Additional i-Pr₂NEt was introduced to bring the pH above 8 and stirring was continued overnight. The resulting mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 10% citric acid, 10% Na₂CO₃ and water and dried by passing through a plug of glass wool. Flash chromatography (EtOAc) gave the desired compound (314 mg, 95%) ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 7.82-7.66 (m, 3H), 7.42-7.33 (m, 3H), 6.78 and 6.73 (2×d, J=7.8 and 7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.23-6.18 and 6.16-6.11 (2×m, 1H), 4.84-4.82 and 4.66-4.50 (2×m, 1H), 4.33-4.17 (m, 2H), 2.88, 2.77, 2.74 (3 ×s, 6H), 2.58-2.20 (m, 2H), 1.34 (s, 9H), 1.18-1.15 (m, 3H). This product was stirred in a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ (8 mL) and TFA (2 mL) for 2 h. After removal of the solvent, residual TFA was removed by azeotropic distillation with benzene using a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (6 mL) and Boc-Tbg-OH (188 mg, 0.81 mmol), HOBt (209 mg, 1.55 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (0.54 mL, 3.10 mmol) and EDC (161 mg, 0.84 mmol) were added. Additional i-Pr₂NEt was introduced to bring the pH above 8 and stirring was continued overnight. The resulting mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 10% citric acid, 10% Na₂CO₃ and water and dried by passing through a plug of glass wool. Flash chromatography (EtOAc) gave the desired compound (264 mg, 62%). ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 7.89-7.82 and 7.73-7.68 (m, 4H), 7.42-7.33 (m, 2H), 6.45 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 6.19 and 6.06 (2×d, J=6.0 and 5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.84 and 4.68 (2×t, J=5.1 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 4.61-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.33-4.23 (m, 1H), 3.84-3.77 (m, 1H), 2.89, 2.78, 2.72 (3 ×s, 6H), 2.58-2.27 (m, 2H), 1.38 (s, 9H), 1.12 (m, 3H), 0.86 and 0.84 (2×s, 9H). This product was stirred in a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ (8 mL) and TFA (2 mL) for 2 h. After removal of the solvent, residual TFA was removed by azeotropic distillation with benzene using a rotary evaporator.

The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (6 mL) and tert-butylacetic acid (64 mg, 0.50 mmol), HOBt (129 mg, 0.96 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (0.33 mL, 1.91 mmol) and EDC (99 mg, 0.52 mmol) were added. Additional i-Pr₂NEt was introduced to bring the pH above 8 and stirring was continued overnight. The resulting mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 10% citric acid, 10% Na₂CO₃, water and dried by passing through a plug of glass wool. Flash chromatography (EtOAc) gave the desired compound (162 mg, 62%) which was immediately dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (8 mL). Dess-Martin 30 periodinane (252 mg, 0.59 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture stirred for 1 h. A 1:1 mixture of 10% Na₂S₂O₃: saturated NaHCO₃ was introduced and stirring was continued until both layers were clear (10 min). The residue was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with aqueous NaHCO₃, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Flash chromatography using TLC grade silica gel (3% ethanol in EtOAc) afforded the compound as a colorless oil. This material was dissolved in a minimum amount of CH₃CN, diluted with water and lyophilized to afford the desired compound 77 as a white solid (99.3 mg, 61%). IR (KBr) υ 3311, 1713, 1657 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆), 2.7:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 8.28 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 8.16 and 8.08 (2×d, J=7.5 and 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.75-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.34 (m, 1H), 6.99 and 6.75 (2×S, 1H, hydrate), 5.30-5.22 and 4.41-4.35 (2×m, 1H), 4.62 and 4.52 (2×q, J=6.0 and 7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.18 and 4.13 (2×d, J=9.0 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 2.91 and 2.82 (2×S, 3H), 2.77 and 2.71 (2×S, 3H), 2.73-2.59 (m, 2H), 2.20 and 2.16 (2×d, J_(AB)=12.6 and 12.9 Hz, JH), 2.03 and 2.02 (2×d, J_(AB)=12.6 and 12.9 Hz, 1H), 1.42 and 1.06 (d, J=7.2 and 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.95-0.87 (m, 18H); HRMS calcd for C₂₈H₄₂N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 544.3135, found: 544.3154; Anal (C₂₈H₄₁N₅O₆) C, H, N.

Example 46 Diphenyl N4 ,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-aminoethylphosphinate)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dirmethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (79, Table 5)

To a warm solution of 1-(N-Benzyloxycarbonyl)-aminoethylphosphonate (Oleksyszyn, J.; Subotkowska, L.; Mastalerz, P. Diphenyl 1-aminoalkanephosphonates. Synthesis, 1979, 985-986) (8.50 g, 21.0 mmol) in ethanol (75 mL) was added a solution of 4 N HCl/dioxane (5.25 mL, 21.0 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (850 mg, 10% w/w). The mixture was stirred vigorously, flushed three times with hydrogen and stirred 16 h under a hydrogen atmosphere (balloon). The catalyst was filtered through Celite and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residual oil was triturated in Et₂O (150 mL) until a white solid was obtained. This was filtered and dried to give 6.10 g (93%) of the corresponding hydrochloride salt. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 9.18 (s, 3H), 7.40-7.44 (m, 4H), 7.24-7.27 (m, 6H), 4.18 (dt, J=7.2, 20.3 Hz, 1H), 1.61 (dd, J, =7.2 Hz, J₂ 18.0 Hz, 3H). A stirred solution containing Boc-Asn(γ-NMe₂)-OH (500 mg, 1.92 mmol), the hydrochloride salt from above (663 mg, 2.11 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (836 μL, 4.80 mmol) and TBTU (677 mg, 2.11 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) was stirred initially at 0° C. for 15 min, and then at rt for 3 h under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The solution was poured into brine and the product extracted with EtOAc (2×25 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed sequentially with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃, 1 M citric acid, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 0.975 g of an amorphous solid. The product was purified by flash chromatography (gradient 15-30% i-PrOH/hexane) to yield the coupled phosphonate derivative as an amorphous solid (0.81 g, 81%). HPLC (system A) 99.5%; ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) 1:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 7.65-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.30-7.05 (m, 10H), 6.20-5.95 (m, 1H), 4.86-4.64 (m, 1H), 4.54-4.42 (m, 1H), 3.16-3.05 (m, 1H), 2.97-2.74 (m, 6H), 2.56-2.41 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.45 (m, 3H), 1.38 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 520 (MH⁺), 420 (MH⁺−100). This material (0.75 g, 1.44 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/dioxane (30 min) before being concentrated in vacuo. The hydrochloride salt (1.44 mmol) was combined with Boc-Tbg-OH (0.40 g, 1.73 mmol), TBTU (0.555 g, 1.73 mmol) and i-Pr₂NEt (1.05 mL, 6.05 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) initially at 0° C. (15 min) and then at rt 16 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃, 1 M citric acid, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purification by flash chromatography using TLC grade silica gel (20% i-PrOH/hexane) gave the desired dipeptide fragment as a white solid (0.773 g, 85%). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.06-7.80 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.10 (m, 10H), 5.24-5.12 (m, 1H), 4.86-4.68 (m, 2H), 3.84-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.21-3.07 (m, 1H), 2.95-2.78 (m, 6H), 2.58-2.35 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.49 (m, 3H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 0.96 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 633 (MH⁺), 533 (MH⁺−100). This compound (0.70 g, 1.0 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/dioxane (30 min) before being concentrated in vacuo. The hydrochloride salt (1.0 mmol) was combined with tert-butylacetic acid (191 μL, 1.50 mmol), TBTU (0.385 g, 1.20 mmol) and i-Pr₂NEt (0.52 mL, 3.0 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) for 16 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed sequentially with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃, 1 M citric acid, and brine. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purification was performed by preparative HPLC to give compound 79 (155 mg, 25%). IR (KBr) υ 3289, 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆), 2:1 mixture of diastereomers at P₁, δ 8.35 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 0.34H), 8.24 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 0.66H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 0.66H), 8.15 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 0.34H), 7.63 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 0.66H), 7.58 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 0.34H), 7.33-7.40 (m, 4H), 7.14-7.23 (m, 6H), 4.57-4.72 (m, 2H), 4.18 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 0.66H), 4.17 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 0.34H), 3.62 (s, broad, 1H), 2.94 (s, 1H), 2.88 (s, 2H), 2.79 (s, 1H), 2.77 (s, 2H), 2.59-2.74 (m, 1H), 2.20 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 0.66H), 2.17 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 0.34H), 2.02 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 0.66H), 1.98 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 0.34H), 1.44 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1.5H), 1.39 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1.5H), 0.95 (s, 5.9H), 0.92 (s, 5.9H), 0.91(s, 3.1H), 0.88 (s, 3.1H); HRMS calcd for C₃₂H₄₈N₄O₇P (MH⁺) 631.3260, found: 631.3279; Anal (C₃₂H₄₇N₄O₇P) C, H, N.

Example 47 N1-[2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-di-methyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (80, Table 5)

This compound was prepared from 14 using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the heterocyclic alcohol with the Moffatt-Pfitzner method. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system A) 99%, (system D) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1.5:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 8.30-8.13 (m, 4H), 7.73-7.58 (m, 3H), 5.47-5.38 (m, 1H), 4.68-4.60 (m, 1H), 4.18-4.10 (m, 1H), 2.92 (s, 3H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 2.76-2.63 (m, 2H), 2.20 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 1.43 and 1.37-1.28 (d, J=7.3 Hz; m, 3H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.90 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 560 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₈H₄₂N₅O₅S (MH⁺) 560.2906, found: 560.2896.

Example 48 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-[1,3]oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl-2-oxoethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (81, Table 5)

This compound was prepared from 17 using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the heterocyclic alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. 1:1 mixture of isomers; HPLC (system A) 97%, (system D) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 1703, 1682, 1643 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.39 and 11.30 (2×s, 1H), 8.19 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.96-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.63-7.56 (m, 2H), 7.39-7.32 (m, 2H), 7.06-6.95 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.46 (m, 2H), 4.25 and 4.22 (2×d, J=9.1 and 8.3 Hz, 1H), 2.95 and 2.91 (2×s, 3H), 2.77 and 2.66 (2×s, 3H), 2.72-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.18-2.00 (m, 2H), 1.17 and 1.10 (2×d, J=6.8 and 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.98-0.85 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 563 (M+19), 585 (M+18+23); HRMS calcd for C₂₇H₄₃N₆O₇ (M+19) 563.3193, found: 563.3207.

Example 49 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(6-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (82, Table 5)

This compound was prepared from 20 using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the heterocyclic alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by radial chromatography. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system C) 100%, (system D) 96%; IR (KBr) υ 1713, 1650, 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 5:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 8.36 and 8.15 (2×d, J=8.4 and 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.31 and 8.25 (2×d, J=5.1 and 5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.89-7.86 (m, 1H), 7.73-7.69 (m, 1H), 7.63-7.51 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.36 (m, 1H), 5.29-5.21 and 4.74-7.68 (2×m, 1H), 4.67-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.14 and 3.91 (2×d, J=8.7 and 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.93-2.58 (m, 8H), 2.49 (s, 3H), 2.23-2.18 (m, 1H), 2.05-2.01 (m, 1H), 1.45 and 1.41 (2×d, J=7.2 and 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.97-0.87 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 558 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₄N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 558.3292, found: 558.3307; Anal (C₂₈H₄₃N₅O₆.½H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 50 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(5-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (83, Table 5)

This compound was prepared from 19 using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the heterocyclic alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by flash chromatography. HPLC (system A) 96%, (system C) 99%, (system D) 94%; IR (KBr) υ 1713, 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 1.7:1 mixture of diastereomers, B 8.38-8.06 (m, 2H), 7.81-7.67 (m, 2H), 7.63-7.37 (m, 2H), 5.28-5.20 and 4.73-4.67 (2×m, 1H), 4.62 and 4.55-4.48 (q, J=7.2 Hz; m, 1H), 4.13 and 3.91 (2×d, J=8.4 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 2.93-2.46 (m, 8H), 2.49 (s, 3H), 2.21 and 2.20 (2×d, J_(AB)=12.3 and 12.4 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (2×d, J_(AB)=12.3 Hz, 1H), 1.45 and 1.41 (2×d, J=7.2 and 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.97-0.87 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 558 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₄N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 558.3292, found: 558.3307; Anal (C₂₉H₄₃N₅O₆.½H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 51 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(4-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (84, Table 5)

This compound was prepared from 18 using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the heterocyclic alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by flash chromatography. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system C) 99%, (system D) 94%; IR (KBr) υ 1713, 1658, 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 4:1 mixture of diastereomers, δ 8.38-8.08 (m, 2H), 7.71-7.15 (m, 4H), 5.32-5.24 and 4.74-4.68 (2×m, 1H), 4.63 and 4.55 (2×q, J=6.3 and 6.6 Hz, 1H), 4.14 and 3.91 (2×d, J=8.4 and 6.6 Hz, 1H), 2.93-2.48 (m, 11H), 2.20 (d, J_(AB)=12.6 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (d, J_(AB)=12.6 Hz, 1H), 1.45 and 1.42 (2×d, J=7.2 and 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.97-0.87 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 558 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₄N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 558.3292, found: 558.3307; Anal (C₂₉H₄₃N₅O₆.½H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 52 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(7-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (85, Table 5)

This compound was prepared from 21 using standard coupling methods and oxidation of the heterocyclic alcohol with the Dess-Martin periodinane. Final purification was performed by flash chromatography. HPLC (system A) 97%, (system C) 97%, (system D) 92%; IR (KBr) υ 1715, 1642 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), 4:1 mixture of diastereomers, 6 8.37 and 8.15 (2×d, J=8.1 and 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.34 and 8.28 (2×d, J=5.9 and 5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.83-7.20 (m, 4H), 5.26 and 4.73-4.68 (quint, J=6.3 Hz; m, JH), 4.62 and 4.57 (2×q, J=6.0 and 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.14 and 3.90 (2×d, J=8.4 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 2.93-2.58 (m, 8H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 2.21 and 2.20 (2×d, J_(AB)=12.3 and 12.6 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (d, J_(AB)=12.6 Hz, 1H), 1.45 and 1.42 (2×d, J=7.5 and 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.97-0.87 (m, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 558 (MH⁺); HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₄₄N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 558.3292, found: 558.3307; Anal (C₂₉H₄₃N₅O₆.½H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 53 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (86, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the alternative procedure for the preparation of α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 100%, (system D) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 3320, 1645 cm⁻1; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.61 and 8.56 (2×m, 1H), 8.18-8.05 (m, 1H), 7.97 and 7.93 (2×d, J=6.4 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (br d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.03-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.13 and 4.12 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.94 (br s, 3H), 2.80 and 2.79 (2×s, 3H), 2.71-2.55 (m, 5H), 2.20 (d, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 2.04 and 2.01 (2×d, J=12.7 and 12.7 Hz, 1H), 1.23 and 1.22 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.91 (br s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 484.3 (MH⁺), 506.3 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₂₃H₄₂N₅0₆ (MH⁺) 484.3135, found: 484.3148.

Example 54 N1-[2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 99%, (system D) 99%; IR (KBr) 3302 , 1719, 1644 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.27 and 8.16 (2×d, J=6.4 and 6.7 Hz, 1H), 8.11 and 8.06 (2×d, J=7.6 and 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.59 and 7.58 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.62-4.50 (m, 2H), 4.13 and 4.12 (2×d, J=8.0 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.94 (br s, 3H), 2.86 and 2.85 (2×s, 6H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.72-2.56 (m, 2H), 2.23-2.16 (2×d, J=12.7 and 12.7 Hz, 1H), 2.10-1.90 (m, 1H), 1.30 and 1.29 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.90 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 498.3 (MH⁺), 520.3 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₂₄H₄₄N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 498.3292, found: 498.3309.

Example 55 N1-(2-[2-(benzyloxy)ethyl]carbamoyl-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl)-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (88, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 97%, (system D) 95%; IR (KBr) υ 3299, 1645, 1527 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.67 and 8.62 (2×t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 8.15 and 8.10 (2×d, J=7.5 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.98 and 7.93 (2×d, J=6.3 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.40-7.20 (m, 5H), 5.0-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.55 (m, 1H), 4.47 (s, 2H), 4.13 and 4.12 (2×d, J=8.7 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.51 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H), 3.37-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.94 and 2.93 (2×s, 3H), 2.80 and 2.79 (2×s, 3H), 2.75-2.60 (m, 2H), 2.20 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H), 2.04 and 2.02 (2×d, J=12.6 and 12.6 Hz, 1H), 1.23 and 1.22 (2×d, J=7.2 and 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.91 (s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 604 (MH⁺), 626 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₃₁H₅₀N₅O₇ (MH⁺) 604.3710, found: 604.3690.

Example 56 N1-2-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S) -2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (89, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for the preparation of α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 99%, (system D) 100%; IR (KBr) υ 3302, 1644 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.14 and 9.09 (2×t, J=6.4 and 6.1 Hz, 1H), 8.13 and 8.08 (2×d, J=7.5 and 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.01 and 7.96 (2×d, J=6.6 and 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.85-6.80 (m, 2H), 6.73 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.97 (s, 2H), 5.02-4.86 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.31-4.08 (m, 3H), 2.92 (br s, 3H), 2.80 and 2.79 (2×s, 3H), 2.74-2.58 (m, 2H), 2.19 (br d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H), 2.03 and 2.02 (2×d, J=12.9 and 12.6 Hz, 1H), 1.23 (m, 3H), 0.94 and 0.90 (2×s, 18H); FAB MS m/z: 604 (MH⁺), 626 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₃₀H₄₆N₅O₈ (MH⁺) 604.3347, found: 604.3333.

Example 57 N1-2-[(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (90, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 93%, (system D) 87%, IR (KBr) υ 3294, 1663, 1522 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.41 and 9.35 (2×t, J=10.8 and 10.5 Hz, 1H), 8.64 (m, 0.5H), 8.18 and 8.09 (2×t, J=14.3 and 15.2 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 0.5H), 7.78-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.48-7.34 (m, 2H), 6.48-6.20 (br d, 1H), 5.08-4.93 (m, 1H), 4.78-4.51 (m, 3H), 4.20-4.05 (m, 1H), 2.96, 2.93, 2.92 and 2.90 (4 ×s, 3H), 2.80, 2.79, 2.76, and 2.72 (4 ×s, 3H), 2.71-2.55 (m, 2H), 2.20 and 2.17 (2×d, J=12.4 and 9.8 Hz, 1H), 2.03 and 2.02 (2×d, J=12.7 and 12.7 Hz, 1H), 1.28 and 1.275 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.3 Hz, 2H), 0.95 (s, 9H), 0.94-0.84 (m, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 600.6 (MH⁺), 618.6 (M+19); HRMS calcd for C₃₀H₄₆N₇O₆ (MH⁺) 600.3509, found: 600.3488.

Example 58 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (91, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 99%, (system D) 98%; IR (KBr) υ 3300, 1647 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.11 and 9.07 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.12 and 8.09 (2×d, J=7.9 and 7.3 Hz, 1H), 8.01 and 7.93 (2×d, J=6.4 and 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (m, 1H), 7.37-7.17 (m, 5H), 5.01-4.86 (m, 2H), 4.67-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.14 and 4.13 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.93 and 2.92 (2×s, 3H), 2.79 (br s, 3H), 2.73-2.54 (m, 2H), 2.19 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H), 2.06 and 2.01 (2×d, J=8.3 and 8.3 Hz, 1H), 1.44-1.37 (m, 3H), 1.24 and 1.17 (2×d, J=7.6 and 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (s, 9H), 0.91 and 0.90 (2×s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 574.4 (MH⁺), 596.3 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₃₀H₄₈N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 574.3605, found: 574.3586.

Example 59 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (92, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for (α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 99%, (system D) 97%; IR (KBr) υ 3288, 1645, 1525 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.11 and 9.05 (2×d, J=8.3 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.13 and 8.07 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.6 Hz, 1H), 8.00 and 7.95 (2×d, J=6.4 and 6.4 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37-7.18 (m, 5H), 5.02-4.84 (m, 2H), 4.63-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.14 and 4.12 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.91 and 2.87 (2×s, 3H), 2.80 and 2.77 (2×s, 3H), 2.73 and 2.53 (m, 2H), 2.19 and 2.18 (2×d, J=12.7 and 12.4 Hz, 1H), 2.09-1.98 (m, 1H), 1.42 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.23 and 1.19 (2×d, J=7.3 and 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (br s, 9H), 0.91 and 0.90 (2×s, 9H); FAB MS m/z: 574.4 (MH⁺), 596.3 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₃₀H₄₈N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 574.3605, found: 574.3591.

Example 60 N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1R)-1-phenylpropyl]carbamoyl-ethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (93, Table 6)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure for (α-ketoamides (Example 2). Final purification was performed by preparative HPLC. HPLC (system C) 100%, (system D) 96%; IR (KBr) υ 3297, 1647 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 8 9.07 and 9.02 (2×d, J=8.6 and 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.13 and 8.06 (2×d, J=7.7 and 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.99 and 7.94 (2×d, J=5.9 and 5.9 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.40-7.18 (m, 5H), 4.98-4.84 (m, 1H), 4.75-4.65 (m, 1H), 4.63-4.55 (m, 1H), 4.13 (2×d, J=8.4 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 2.92 and 2.88 (2×S, 3H), 2.80 and 2.77 (2×S, 3H), 2.75-2.58 (m, 2H), 2.19 and 2.18 (2×d, J=12.6 and 12.6 Hz, 1H), 2.03 and 2.02 (2×d, J=12.6 and 12.3 Hz, 1H), 1.87-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.23 and 1.17 (2×d, J=7.2 and 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.95 and 0.94 (2×S, 9H), 0.91 and 0.90 (2×S, 9H), 0.87-0.78 (m, 3H); FAB MS m/z: 588.7 (MH⁺), 610.7 (M+23); HRMS calcd for C₃₁H₅₀N₅O₆ (MH⁺) 588.3761, found: 588.3744; Anal (C₃₁H₄₉N₅O₆.H₂O) C, H, N.

Example 61

Compounds 94 to 98 from Table 7 and 305, 309 and 310 from Table 8 were synthesized according to route (b), Scheme 5. Compounds 301 to 303 and 306 to 308 from Table 8 were synthesized according to the procedure of example 43. Compound 304 was synthesized according to the procedure of example 45.

Compound 312 was synthesized in the following manner:

N⁴,N⁴-Dimethyl-N¹-[1-(R/S)-methyl-2-oxo-3,3,4,4,4-pentafluorobutyl]-(2S)-2-{3-[(3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutyl)-amino]-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxopentyl}-butanediamide

A solution of ketomethylene intermediate (2.42 g, 5.24 mmol, benzyl 6,6-dimethyl-(2S)-2-(2-dimethylamino-2-oxoethyl)-(5S)-5-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-4-oxoheptanoate prepared according to Moss et al., (J. Med. Chem., 1996, 39, 4173-4180) in 4N HCl/dioxane (30 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 1.5 h. After removal of the solvent, the residue was co-evaporated twice with CH₃CN then dissolved in CH₃CN (50 mL) followed by the addition of i-PrNEt (2.74 mL, 15.72 mmol), tert-butyl acetic acid (0.67 ml, 5.24 mmol) and TBTU (1.70 g, 5.29 mmol). After stirring overnight at room temperature, the solvent was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and the solution washed sequentially with 10% aq. HCl, sat. NaHCO₃ solution and brine, and dried (MgSO₄). Evaporation of the solvent to dryness gave the desired amide derivative as a brown gummy residue [2.41 g, FAB MS, m/z: 461(MH⁺), 483(M+Na)⁺]. The crude amide was dissolved in EtOH and the solution stirred at room temperature in the presence of 10% Pd/C (250 mg) under an atmosphere of H₂ for 18 h. After filtration of the catalyst and evaporation of the solvent to dryness, the oily residue [(1.90 g, FAB MS, m/z: 399 (MH⁺) corresponding to the ethyl ester derivative] was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of MeOH-water (75 mL) and solid NaOH (758 mg) was added. The solution was stirred for 3 h at room temperature and the solvent was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water, the solution acidified to pH 2 with 10% aq. HCl, extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with brine. Evaporation of the solvent to dryness gave the desired acid as a white foam [1.36g, FAB MS, m/z: 371(MH)⁺ for. C₁₉H₃₄N₂O₅].

To a solution of the crude acid (370 mg) in CH₃CN (50 mL) was added (3R/S, 4R/S)-4-amino-1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-3-pentanol. HCl salt (229 mg, 1 mmol), TBTU (337 mg, 1.05 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (0.70 ml, 4 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. After evaporation of the solvent to dryness, the residue was dissolved in EtOAc and the solution washed sequentially with 10% aq. HCl, aq. NaHCO₃ and brine. The solvent was evaporated to dryness to give the desired product (455 mg, 82% yield). FAB MS, m/z: 546(MH)⁺ for C₂₄H₄₀N₃O₅F₅.

A cold solution of the crude hydroxytriamide product (454 mg, 0.81 mmol) in EtOAc was oxidized using the Dess-Martin periodinane (0.69 g, 1.63 mmol). After the usual isolation procedure, the crude product (398 mg) was purified by flash chromatography using a 4:1 EtOAc-hexane mixture to give the title compound (128 mg). FAB MS, m/z: 544.4 (MH⁺), 562.4 (M+H₂O)⁺ for C₂₄H₃₈N₃O₅F₅.

Example 62

Solid Phase Synthesis of Activated Ketones:

As shown in the following table, the peptidyl trifluoromethyl ketones and α-ketoamides of a wide chemical diversity were obtained in 12%-37% overall yield from the corresponding starting resin 103 described in Example 1. The crude material, which typically showed an homogeneity of 60-80% by reversed phase HPLC could easily be purified by semi-preparative HPLC. Since the trifluoromethyl ketone and α-ketoamide fragments 109 were racemic, the desired inhibitors were usually isolated as a 1:1 mixture of diastereomers. In some cases each isomer could be separated during the purification but in most cases, the inhibitors were subjected to biological testing as a mixture of isomers at the activated ketone center.

Specifically, compound 218 was synthesized in the following manner:

This compound was prepared on solid phase using the semicarbazone-derived resin (103 X′=C(O)NH-Bn). The solid-phase synthesis as well as the cleavage condition is identical to the one reported in example 1. Yield: 33%; HPLC (phosphate): 81%; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), δ 9.18 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1 H), 9.14 (s, 1 H), 8.39-8.26 (m, 1 H), 8.08-7.89 (m, 3 H), 7.75 (t, J=9.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.60 (broad s, 3 H), 7.34-7.22 (m, 6 H), 6.99 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2 H), 6.61 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2 H), 6.33-6.22 (m, 0.7 H), 4.98-4.94 (m, 2 H), 4.49-4.43 (m, 1 H), 4.33-4.00 (m, 6 H), 3.48 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2 H), 2.96-2.91 (m, 1 H), 2.74-2.66 (m, 2 H), 2.05-1.90 (m, 1 H), 1.83 (s, 3 H), 1.65-1.45 (m, 4 H), 1.35-1.24 (m, 1 H), 1.26 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2 H), 0.98-0.93 (m, 1 H), 0.86-0.82 (m, 6 H); FAB-MS (ES⁺) calc for C₃₆H₅₂N₇O₉: 726; found: 726.

The IC₅₀ of compound 218 was found to be 9.4 μM.

Overall Cpd # Sequence yield (%) 201 Val-Phe-Ser(O-t-Bu)-Asp-Ala(d,l)-CF₃ 22 202 Val-Phe-Ser(O-t-Bu)-Asp(O-t-Bu)Ala(d,I)-CF₃ 14 203 Ac-Asn-Asp(O-Bn)-Leu-Ala(d,l)-CF₃ 40 204 Ph-C(O)Glu-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Ala(d,l)-CF₃ 68 205 Ac-Phe-Leu-His-Thr-Ala(d,l)-CF₃ 19 206 Ac-Phe-Leu-His-Thr-(O-tBu)Ala(d,l)-CF₃ 6 207 Ac-Gly-Val-Val-Asn-Ala(d,l)-CF₃ 30 208 Ac-Asp-Glu-Met-Glu-Glu-Abu(d,l)-CF₃ 36 209 Boc-Gly-Phe-Leu-Abu(d,l)-CF₃ 23 210 Boc-Val-Ser(O-Bn)-Gly-Asp(O-Bn)-Abu(d,l)-CF₃ 29 211 Asp(O-Bn)-Ala-Pro-Abu(d,l)-CF₃ 40 212 Boc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val(d,l)-CF₃ 33 213 Ph-CH₂-C(O)-Tyr-Ala-Lys-Val(d,l)-CF₃ 21 214 Ac-Leu-Gly-Asp(O-Bn)-Ala-Val(d,l)-CF₃ 18 215 Ac-Gly-Ser(O-Bn)-Leu-Asp(O-Bn)-Val(d,l)-CF₃ 18 216 Ac-Phe-Val-Pro-Val(d or l)-CF₃ 8 217 Ac-Phe-Val-Pro-Val(d or l)-CF₃ 11 218 Ac-Ser-Tyr-Val-Lys-Ala(d,l)-C(O)-NH-CH₂-Ph 33 [SEQ ID NOS: 71&72] 219 Ac-Asn-Asp(OBn)-Leu-Ala(d,l)-C(O)- 40 NH-CH₂-Ph

Example 63 ENZYMATIC ASSAYS Material & Methods

Fluorescence measurements were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer LS-50B spectrofluorimeter equiped with a plate reader accessory. UV measurements were recorded on a Thermomax microplate reader from Moleculer Devices. All specificity enzymes and their respective substrates were commercially available from the following suppliers: Boehringer Mannheim (Bovine pancreas α-chymotrypsin #103314 lot 13724423-58, porcine pancreas elastase #1027891 lot 83260521-23), Calbiochem (Human neutrophil elastase #324681 lot B12778, Human liver cathepsin B #219364 lot B14649, Succ-AAA-pNA #573459 Lot 510008), Sigma Chemical Co. (Succ-AAPF-pNA #S7388 lot 31H5805, Bachem (Z-FR-pNA #L-1242 lot 502774, Succ-AAV-pNA #L-1405, lot 116699).

HCMV N_(o) protease assay: HCMV N_(o) protease was assayed with an internally quenched fluorogenic substrate based on the maturation cleavage site (Abz-VVNASSRLY(3-NO₂)R-OH, k_(cat)/K_(M)=260 M⁻¹s⁻¹) . The fluorescence increase upon cleavage of the Ala-Ser amide bond was monitored using excitation λ=312 nm (slit 2.5 nm) and emission λ=415 nm (slit 5 nm). A protocol adaptable to a 96-well plate format was designed for the determination of IC₅₀ values of inhibitors. Briefly, 125 nM HCMV N_(o) protease was pre-incubated for 5 hr at 30° C. with a range of sequentially diluted inhibitor concentrations (300 to 0.06 μM depending on the potency of each compound). After this period, enzymatic hydrolysis was initiated by addition of the fluorogenic substrate and the reaction was performed for 2 hr at 30° C. (≈30% conversion). No quenching was required before fluorescence measurement since the total scanning time by the plate reader accessory was brief relative to the duration of the reaction. The incubation buffer (essentially similar to the pre-incubation buffer) contained 50 mM Tris/HCl pH 8, 0.5M Na₂SO₄, 50 mM NaCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 1 mM TCEP, 3% v/v DMSO and 0.05% w/v Casein. The final concentrations of HCMV N, protease (expressed in terms of total monomer concentration) and substrate were 100 nM and 5 μM respectively. IC₅₀ values were obtained through fitting of the inhibition curve to a competitive inhibition model using SAS NLIN procedure. The mode of inhibition was determined by measurements of the initial rates (in cuvettes) at various substrate (Abz-Tbg-Tbg-Asn(Me)₂-Ala-SSRLY(3-NO₂)R-OH) and inhibitor concentrations using the same conditions as above. Data was plotted according to the Cornish-Bowden method ([S]/v versus [I]) and Dixon method (1/v versus [I]) to visually assess the type of inhibition (Cornish-Bowden, A. A simple graphical method for determining the inhibition constants of mixed, uncompetitive and non-competitive inhibitors. Biochem. J. . 1974, 137, 143-144).

Specificity Assays

The specificity of the compounds was determined against a variety of serine proteases (Human leukocyte and porcine pancreatic elastases (HLE & PPE), bovine pancreas α-chymotrypsin) and one cysteine protease (Human liver cathepsin B). In all cases a 96-well plate format protocol using a calorimetric p-nitroanilide (pNA) substrate specific for each enzyme was used. Each assay included a 1 hr pre-incubation enzyme-inhibitor at 30° C. followed by addition of substrate and hydrolysis to ≈30% conversion as measured by scanning on a UV Thermomax microplate reader. Substrate concentrations were kept as low as possible compared to KM to reduce substrate competition. Compound concentrations varied from 300 to 0.06 μM depending on their potency. The final conditions for each assay were as followed: 50 mM Tris/HCl pH 8, 0.5 M Na₂SO₄, 50 mM NaCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 3% DMSO, 0.01% Tween-20 with [100 μM Succ-AAPF-pNA and 250 pM α-chymotrypsin], [133 μM Succ-AAA-pNA and 8 nM porcine elastase], or [133 μM Succ-AAV-pNA and 8 nM leukocyte elastase]. 100 mM NaH₂PO₄ pH 6, 0.1 mM EDTA, 3% DMSO, 1 mM TCEP, 0.01% Tween-20, 30 μM Z-FR-pNA and 5 nM cathepsin B (the stock enzyme was activated in buffer containing 20 mM TCEP before use).

Example 64 Biological Data

TABLE 1 Compound Structure IC₅₀ (μM) 37 [SEQ ID NOS: 1 & 2]

1.8 ± 0.3 38 [SEQ ID NOS: 3 & 4]

2.6 ± 0.4 39 [SEQ ID NOS: 5 & 6]

3.0 ± 0.3 40

80 ± 15 41

>300 42

>300 43

37 ± 4  44 [SEQ ID NOS: 7 & 8]

9 ± 2 45 [SEQ ID NOS: 9 & 10]

>300

TABLE 2

Compound R₂ IC₅₀ (μM) 39 [SEQ ID NOS: 5 & 6]

3.0 ± 0.3 46 [SEQ ID NOS: 11 & 12]

9 ± 3 47 [SEQ ID NOS: 13 & 14]

24 ± 5  48 [SEQ ID NOS 15 & 16]

52 ± 6  49 [SEQ ID NOS: 17 & 18]

19 ± 3  50 [SEQ ID NOS: 19 & 20]

6 ± 1 51 [SEQ ID NOS: 21 & 22]

2.0 ± 0.3 52 [SEQ ID NOS: 23 & 24]

11 ± 2  53 [SEQ ID NOS: 25 & 26]

5 ± 1 54 [SEQ ID NOS: 27 & 28]

61 ± 8  55 [SEQ ID NOS: 29 & 30]

83 ± 15 56 [SEQ ID NOS: 31 & 32]

>300

TABLE 3

Compound R₃ IC₅₀ (μM) 51 [SEQ ID NOS: 21 & 22]

2.0 ± 0.3 57 [SEQ ID NOS: 33 & 34]

4.4 ± 0.5 58 [SEQ ID NOS: 35 & 36]

1.1 ± 0.2 59 [SEQ ID NOS: 37 & 38]

3.6 ± 0.5 60 [SEQ ID NOS: 39 & 40]

6 ± 1 61 [SEQ ID NOS: 41 & 42]

15 ± 4 

TABLE 4

Compound Y n R₄ IC₅₀ (μM) 58 [SEQ ID NOS: 35 & 36]

1

1.1 ± 2   62

0 — 2.8 ± 0.4 63

0 — 1.0 ± 0.3 64

0 — 1.4 ± 0.1 65

0 — 1.1 ± 0.1 66

0 — 3.2 ± 0.2 67

0 — 6 ± 1 68

0 — 2.4 ± 0.2 69 [SEQ ID NOS: 43 & 44]

0 — 3.4 ± 0.5 70

0 — 1.6 ± 0.4

TABLE 5

Compound z X IC₅₀ (μM) 65 C CF₃ 1.1 ± 0.1 74 C CF₂CF₃ 0.11 ± 0.01 75 C

0.46 ± 0.06 76 C

0.20 ± 0.05 77 C

0.6 ± 0.1 79 P (OPh)₂ 0.66 ± 0.06 80 C

1.1 ± 0.3 81 C

11 ± 2  82 C

0.6 ± 0.1 83 C

0.6 ± 0.1 84 C

0.9 ± 0.2 85 C

2.8 ± 0.3

TABLE 6

Compound X IC₅₀ (μM) 76

0.20 ± 0.05 86

1.1 ± 0.3 88

0.14 ± 0.03 89

0.10 ± 0.01 90

0.21 ± 0.05 91

3.7 ± 0.8 92

0.28 ± 0.04 93

0.11 ± 0.03

TABLE 7

Cpd Y n R₄ R₁ IC₅₀ (μM) 93

0 — Me 0.11 94 [SEQ ID NOS:45 & 46] H 1

H 0.55 95 [SEQ ID NOS:47 & 48]

1

H 0.062 96 [SEQ ID NOS:49 & 50]

1

Me 0.057 97 [SEQ ID NOS:51 & 52]

1

Me 0.073

Example 65

An interesting compound related to 76 (Table 7), is the compound 98 (prepared according to the procedure of example 2) having the following structure:

In the HCMV No protease assay, compound 98 had IC₅₀=0.34 μM. The compound with its incorporated iodine atom has the added benefit of being a useful compound for X-ray crystallographic studies.

Example 66

Table 8 illustrates further compounds synthesized according to the present invention:

TABLE 8 IC₅₀ Compound Structure (μM) 301

3.7 302

3.0 303

5.6 304

0.5 305

0.3 306

0.5 307

2   308

0.3 309

 0.12 310

 0.97 311

6.8 312

5.8

Results and Discussion

After optimizing with the peptide portion of the inhibitors, we considered the effect of changes to the activated carbonyl group. This functionality is of particular importance for the inhibition of serine proteases because of the formation of a reversible covalent bond with the active site serine. A number of effective activated carbonyl groups have been described in the literature suitable for use with peptidomimetic inhibitors (Mehdi, S. Synthetic and naturally occurring protease inhibitors containing an electrophilic carbonyl group. Bioorganic Chem. 1993, 21, 249-259). We investigated several major classes of these (Table 6). Compared with trifluoromethyl ketones, the use of pentafluoroethyl ketones, α,α-difluoro-β-ketoamides, α-ketobenzoxazoles, α-ketoamides and diphenyl phosphonates gave significant increases in activity.

Inhibitors 74 and 76 showed increases in potency by factors of ten and five respectively.

Several compounds were investigated further in order to better characterize their interactions with HCMV protease in terms of mode of inhibition. FIG. 1 shows a Dixon plot obtained for compound 76 which clearly demonstrates that this compound was a competitive inhibitor of HCMV protease.

Compounds 63, 74 and 77 gave similar results indicating that these were all inhibiting in a competitive fashion (data not shown). It is well known that the interaction of trifluoromethyl ketone-based inhibitors with serine proteases is characterized by a slow onset of inhibition. This phenomenon has been explained by the observation that trifluoromethyl ketones exist in solution almost exclusively in the hydrated form (Edwards, P. D.; Bernstein, P. R. Synthetic inhibitors of elastase. Medicinal Research Reviews, 1994, 14, 128-194 and references cited therein). This produces a very low concentration of the inhibitory ketone form and results in time-dependent inhibition. As shown in FIG. 2, trifluoromethyl ketone 65 exhibits slow onset of inhibition with an apparent rate constant of 5.4×10⁻³ s⁻¹.

Other carbonyl activating groups were found to be less susceptible to this slow binding behavior. Shown in FIG. 3 is the progress curve obtained for compound 76, in which equilibrium is reached more rapidly.

Compound 74 showed slow binding behavior intermediate between that of 76 and 65, while 77 gave a progress curve comparable to 76. The very slow turnover rate shown by HMCV protease, coupled with slow binding kinetics for the present series of inhibitors has implications for the reliability of the enzymatic data. In order to ensure that the IC₅₀ values obtained were a true reflection of inhibitory power, we utilized assay conditions in which the inhibitors were pre-incubated with the enzyme before introduction of the substrate.

Specificity: To assess specificity, we investigated the inhibitory activity of our compounds towards a variety of serine proteases. Compounds 65, 74-85 were tested for inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), human leukocyte elastase (HLE), bovine pancreatic α-chymotrypsin (BPC), and the cysteine protease human liver cathepsin B (cat-B) (data not shown). Compounds 65, 74-79 all showed good specificity profiles against HLE, BPC and cat-B. Some of these compounds were weak inhibitors of PPE (which like HCMV protease shows a preference for alanine at P₁) but with specificity windows of 20 to 300 fold. One important exception to this last trend is α-ketobenzoxazole 77 which was actually seven fold more potent against PPE than against HCMV protease. We carried out a limited SAR of benzoxazole substitutions to try to improve the specificity profile of these compounds. Benzothiazole 80 proved to be a potent inhibitor of HCMV (IC₅₀ 1.1 μM) and also interacted strongly with PPE (IC₅₀ 9 μM) Compound 81 was not an inhibitor of PPE but this specificity improvement was accompanied by an 18 fold loss in activity towards HCMV protease. The various methylated benzoxazoles 82-85 were all more potent inhibitors of PPE than of HCMV protease.

Compound 76 represented one of the most potent inhibitors of HCMV protease described so far. This structure also suggested the possibility of further increasing potency by extending the C-terminal amide moiety of this inhibitor into the S₁′ binding pocket of the enzyme. The observation that the P₁′ amino acids are fairly conserved (alanine or serine) prompted us to extend the C-terminus of the α-ketoamide class of inhibitors in order to try to take advantage of interactions in the S′ pocket.

To improve the potency of compound 93 further, extension onto the P4 residue was undertaken in the glycine and alanine P1 series (Table 7). Since the alanine and glycine series are equipotent, the following observations can be made. Incorporating a terminal amine on the P4 residue results in a 5 fold loss in potency whereas addition of a Boc group on this amine gives a 9 fold improvement in potency. Further extensions onto the P4 residue in the form of a Boc protected 6-aminocaproyl capping group gave compound 96 which had an IC₅₀ value of 75 nM. Removal of the Boc group from this inhibitor improved the potency by a factor of 2 to give compound 97 which is less than 40 nM in potency and represents the most potent compound of this series.

Table 8: compounds 301 to 312 summarize different substitutions of the P2 side-chain that gave potent inhibitors. These include various asparagine amide substitutions and a novel sulfonamide residue.

Table 9: compounds 401 to summarize different substitutions at P1′.

TABLE 9 IC₅₀ Cpd # Structure (μM) 401

 0.59 402 [SEQ ID NOS: 53 & 54]

4.3 403 [SEQ ID NOS: 55 & 56]

1.6 404 [SEQ ID NOS: 57 & 58]

1.7 405

0.5 406

0.8 407

0.2 408

0.2 409 [SEQ ID NOS: 59 & 60]

1.4 410 [SEQ ID NOS: 61 & 62]

1.5 411 [SEQ ID NOS: 63 & 64]

1.8 412 [SEQ ID NOS: 65 & 66]

 0.85 413 [SEQ ID NOS: 67 & 68]

4.4 414 [SEQ ID NOS: 69 & 70]

1.6

13 1 5 PRT Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence peptidomimetic inhibitor 1 Gly Val Val Asn Ala 1 5 2 5 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 2 Ser Trp Val Lys Ala 1 5 3 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 3 Val Val Asn Ala 1 4 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 4 Val Val Gln Ala 1 5 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 5 Val Val Asp Ala 1 6 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 6 Val Val Ser Ala 1 7 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 7 Val Val Lys Ala 1 8 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 8 Val Val Leu Ala 1 9 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 9 Val Val Phe Ala 1 10 4 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 10 Val Val Val Ala 1 11 4 PRT Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence peptidomimetic inhibitor 11 Val Val Ala Ala 1 12 5 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with acetyl 12 Ser Tyr Val Lys Ala 1 5 13 5 PRT Artificial Sequence PEPTIDE (1) N-terminal is capped with Boc 13 Val Val Xaa Ala Ala 1 5 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I:

wherein z is C or P; when z is C, then X is CF₃; C₂F₅; benzothiazole; oxazolo[4,5b]pyridine; or benzoxazole-R₇ wherein R₇ is H or methyl; or X is CF₂CONH-R₆ or C(O)NH-R₆, wherein R₆ is selected from: C₀₋₁₀ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or cyclohexyl, said phenyl or cyclohexyl ring being optionally substituted with Me, halogen, —CF₃,—CH(Me)—C(O)—OBn; —C(O)NH₂; or —C(O)-morpholino, said phenyl or cyclohexyl ring optionally fused with a phenyl ring; (CH₂)₁₋₃—O—(CH₂)₁₋₃-phenyl, said phenyl optionally substituted with halogen; (CH₂)₁₋₃-2-benzimidazole; (CH₂)₁₋₃-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); or (CH₂)₁₋₃—O—C(O)—OCH₂CH═CH₂; or, when z is P, then X is —(OPh)₂; R₁ is H, Me, or Et; R₂ is CH₂—SO₂NH₂; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)thiazolo; —CH₂C(O)—(C₁₋₆ alkyl); —CH₂C(O)-pyrrolidino; —CH₂C(O)-morpholino; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amido optionally mono- or di-substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, said alkyl optionally substituted with pyridino; W is NH, CH₂ or CH(CH₃); R₃ is —C₁₋₁₂ alkyl; —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)C(O)OH; or adamantyl; n is 0 or 1, R₄, when n is 1, is —C₁₋₆ alkyl or —(C₁₋₆ alkyl)-aryl wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with OH; m is 0 or 1, R₅, when m is 1, is H or —CH₂OH; and Y is H; (CH₂)₂-t-Bu; or an acyl of formula: —C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—C(O)OH; —C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆-Ph wherein Ph is optionally substituted with OH; —C(O)—CH₂N(CH₃)₂; —C(O)—R₉; —C(O)O—R₉; or —C(O)NH—R₉ wherein R₉ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or —C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NH₂ wherein the NH₂ group is optionally protected with an amino protecting group.
 2. A compound of formula I:

wherein z is C or P; wherein when z is C, then X is CF₃; C₂F₅; 2-benzothiazole; 2-oxazolo[4,5b]pyridine; 2-benzoxazole-R₇, wherein R₇ is H, 4-Me, 5-Me, 6-Me, or 7-Me; or X is CF₂CONHR₆ or C(O)NHR₆, wherein R₆ is selected from: C₁₋₇ alkyl, optionally substituted with cyclohexyl, naphthyl, or phenyl, said cyclohexyl, naphthyl or phenyl optionally substituted with Me, iodo, CF₃, —CH(Me)—C(O)—OBn; —C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)-morpholino; (CH₂)₂—O—CH₂-phenyl; CH₂-2-benzimidazole; or CH₂—(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); or when z is P, then X is (OPh)₂; R₁ is H, methyl or ethyl; R₂ is —CH₂-(4-thiazolo); —(CH₂)₁₋₄—NH₂; —CH₂—C(O)-tert-butyl; —CH₂—C(O)—(N-pyrrolidino); —CH₂—C(O)—(N-morpholino); —CH₂SO₂NH₂; —CH₂)₁₋₂-amido, the nitrogen of said amido optionally mono- or di-substituted with a substituent selected independently from: CH₃; t-Bu; phenyl; and —CH₂CH₂-(2-pyridino); W is NH or CH₂; R₃ is ethyl; isopropyl; t-Bu; CH₂-t-Bu; or adamantyl; n is 0 or 1, R₄, when n is 1, is isopropyl; t-Bu; or 4-hydroxybenzyl; m is 0 or 1, R₅, when m is 1, is H; and Y is H; —CH₂—CH₂-t-Bu; or an acyl of formula: —C(O)CH₃; —C(O)CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)CH₂-t-Bu (DA-Tbg); —C(O)(CH₂)₂-4-hydroxyphenyl; —C(O)—(CH₂)₃—COOH; —C(O)O-t-Bu (Boc); —C(O)NH-t-Bu; —C(O)CH₂—N(CH₃)₂; or —C(O)(CH₂)₁₋₆NH₂, said amino group optionally protected with an amino protecting group.
 3. A compound according to claim 2, wherein when z is C, then X is CF₃; C₂F₅; benzothiazole; benzoxazole-R₇, wherein R₇ is H, 4-Me, 5-Me, 6-Me, or 7-Me; —CF₂CONH—CH₂-phenyl; or —C(O)NHR₆ wherein R₆ is —CH(Me)(CH₂)₄CH₃; cyclohexyl; naphthyl; —CH₂-phenyl; —CH(CH₃)-phenyl; or —CH(CH₂CH₃)-phenyl; —CH₂4-iodophenyl; -phenyl-CH₃; -phenyl-CF₃; -phenyl-C(O)NH₂; -phenyl-C(O)-morpholino; -phenyl-CH(Me)—C(O)—OBn; —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂-phenyl; —CH₂-2-benzimidazole; —CH₂-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); or —(CH₂)₂—O—C(O)—OCH₂CH═CH₂; or when z is P, then X is (OPh)₂; R₁ is H or methyl; R₂ is —CH₂—C(O)—(N-pyrrolidino); —CH₂—C(O)—(N-morpholino); —CH₂SO₂NH₂; —CH₂)C(O)NH₂; —(CH₂)₂C(O)N(CH₃)₂; —CH₂—C(O)—NH-t-Bu; or —(CH₂)₂—C(O)—N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂(2-pyridino); W is NH; R₃ is ethyl; isopropyl; or t-Bu; R₄, when n is 1, is isopropyl; or t-Bu; R₅, when m is 1, is H; and Y is H; or an acyl of formula: —C(O)CH₃; —C(O)CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)CH₂-t-Bu (DA-Tbg); —C(O)(CH₂)₂-4-hydroxyphenyl; —C(O)—(CH₂)₃—COOH; —C(O)O-t-Bu (Boc); —C(O)(CH₂)₅NH₂; or —C(O)(CH₂)₅NH-Boc.
 4. A compound according to claim 3, wherein z is C; X is C₂F₅; or —C(O)NHR₆ wherein R₆ is —CH₂-phenyl; —CH₂-4-iodophenyl; —CH(CH₃)-phenyl; —CH(CH₂CH₃)-phenyl; —CH(Me)-naphthyl; —CH₂Co(Me)-phenyl; —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂-phenyl; —CH₂-2-benzimidazole; or —CH₂-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); R₁ is H or methyl; R₂ is —C₁ ₂—C(O)—(N-pyrrolidino); —CH₂—C(O)—(N-morpholino); —(CH₂)₂C(O)N(CH₃)₂; or —(CH₂)₂—C(O)—N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂(2-pyridino); W is ;NH R₃ is isopropyl or t-Bu; R₄, when n mis 1, is t-Bu; m is 0, and Y is an acyl of formula: —C(O)CH₂-t-Bu (DA-Tbg); —C(O)O-t-Bu (Boc); —C(O)(CH₂)₅NH₂; or —C(O)(CH₂)₅NH-Boc.
 5. A compound of formula

wherein X is CF₃, C₂F₅, 2-benzothiazole, CF₂CONHR₆, CONHRR₆, wherein R₆ is CH₂C₆H₅, CH₂(4-iodophenyl), CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₂C₆H₅, CH₂-2-benzimidazole, CH₂-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene), CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ or CH(CH₂CH₃)C₆H₅; or X is 2-benzoxazole-R₇ wherein R₇ is H, 4-CH₃, 5-CH₃,6-CH₃ or 7-CH₃; R₁ is H, CH₃ or CH₂CH₃; R₂ is CH₂CONH₂, CH₂CH₂CONH₂, CH₂-thiazole, CH₂CON(CH₃)₂, or CH₂CO-pyrrolidino; R₃ is Et, CH(CH₃)₂, C(CH₃)₃, adamantyl, CH₂C(CH₃)₃ or C(CH₃)₂CO₂H; and R₂₀ is COCH₂C(CH₃)₃, COCH₂CH₂C₆H₄OH, COCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, CO₂C(CH₃)₃, CONHC(CH₃)₃, COCH₂N(CH₃)₂, CO(CH₂)₃CO₂H, CO—(S)—CH(NH₂)C(CH₃)₃, CO—(S)—CH{NHC(O)O—C(CH₃)₃}C(CH₃)₃, CO—(S)—CH{NHCO(CH₂)₅NHC(O)OC(CH₃)₃}C(CH₃)₃ or CO—(S)—CH{NHCO(CH₂)₅NH₂}C(CH₃)₃.
 6. A compound selected from the group consisting of: N1-(3,3,3-trifiuoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-2-methyl-1-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)methyl] carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]propyicarboxamido) butanediamide (37); N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-6-amino-2-((1s)-1-[((1S)-1-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-(methylcarboxamido) ethyl]carboxamido-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl) carboxamido]-2-methylpropyl-carboxamido)hexanamide (38); N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1s)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (39); N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-{(1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)-propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (40); N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-(1S)-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-{(1S)-2-methyl-1-[(methylcarboxamido)propyl] carboxamido}butanediamide (43); N1-(1-ethyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (44); N1-(1-(3,3,3,-trifluoro-1-propyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-(((1S)-2-methyl-1-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido) propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (45); N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]pentanediamide (46); (3S)-3-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido-propyl)carboxamido]-3-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]propanoic acid (47); N1-[(1S)-1-((1S)-2-hydroxy-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]ethyl-carbamoyl)-2-methylpropyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido) butanamide (48); N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-6-amino-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]hexanamide (49); N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-carbamoyl]ethylcarbamoyl) propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (50); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2-methyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (51); N1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-((1S)-2-phenyl-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-ethylcarbamoyl)propyl]-(2S)-3-methyl-2-(methylcarboxamido)butanamide (53); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (57); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido-propyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (58); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-3,3-dimethy-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido butyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (59); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((S)-1-(1-adamantyl)-1-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyllcarboxamido methyl)carboxamido]butanediamide (60); (3S)-3-((1S)-2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl]-ethylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidopropanoic acid (61); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(methylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (62); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-1-[(4-hydroxyphen-ethyl)carboxamido]-2,2-dimethylpropylcarboxamido) butanediamide (63); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-1-(isobutylcarboxamido)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (64); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propylcarboxamido]butanediamide (65); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-((1S)-1-[(3,3-dimethyl-butyl)amino]-2,2-dimethylpropylcarboxamido]butanediamide (66); 4N,4N-Dimethyl-1N-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-2-[l-(tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino)-2,2-dimethyl-(1S)-propylcarboxamido]-(2S)-butanediamide (67); N4,N4-Dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl-2-[1-(tert-butylaminocarbonyl-amino)-2,2-dimethyl-(1S)-propylcarboxamido]-(2S)-butanediamide (68); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-(2S)-2-[((1S)-1-[(dimethyl-amino)methyl]carboxamido-2,2-dimethylpropyl) carboxamido]butanediamide (69); 4-[(1S)-1-((1S)-2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-[(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)carbamoyl] ethylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]carbamoylbutanoic acid (70); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentyl carboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (74); N1-[3-(benzylcarbamoyl)-3,3-difluoro-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl -N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamidobutanediamide (75); 3-{2-[2-(3,3-Dimethyl-butyrylamino)-3,3-dimethyl-butyrylaminol]-3-dimethylcarbamoyl-propionylamino}-2-oxo-butyric acid benzyl amide (76); N1-[2-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (77); Diphenyl N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-aminoethylphosphinate)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butane diamide (79);. N1-[2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl]-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-di-methyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butane diamide (80); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-[1,3]oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl-2-oxoethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido} butanediamide (81); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(6-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (82); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(5-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (83); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(4-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (84); N4,N4-dimethyl-1M -[1-methyl-2-(7-methyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyllcarboxamido}butanediamide (85); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-[1-methyl-2-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-oxoethyl]-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (86); N1-(2-[2-(benzyloxy)ethylcarbamoyl-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl)-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (88); N1-2-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (89); N1-2-[(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-N4,N4-dimethyl-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (90); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (91); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (92); N4,N4-dimethyl-N1-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2-[(1R)-1-phenylpropyl]carbamoylethyl)-(2S)-2-{[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(neopentylcarboxamido)propyl]carboxamido}butanediamide (93);

Ac-Ser-Tyr-Val-Lys-Ala (d,l)—C(O)—NH—CH₂—Ph 218;


7. The compound according to claim 6, selected from the group consisting of: compound number 37, 38, 39, 44, 46, 50, 51, 53, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 218, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, and 401 to
 414. 8. The compound according to claim 7, selected from the group consisting of: compound number 37, 51, 58, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 88, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 401, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, and
 414. 9. The compound according to claim 8, selected from the group consisting of: compound number 74, 76, 88, 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 305, 308, 309, 407, and
 408. 10. A process for the solid phase synthesis of peptidyl activated ketones of formula I below, wherein said process is represented by the following reaction scheme:

wherein R is H, Me or Et; and X′ is CF₃, CF₂CONH-R₃₀, or C(O)NH—R₃₀, wherein R₃₀ is selected from: cyclohexyl, being optionally substituted with halogen, C₀₋₁₀ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, said phenyl ring being optionally substituted with Me or halogen, said phenyl ring optionally fused with a second phenyl ring; (CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₁₋₃-phenyl, said phenyl optionally substituted with halogen; (CH₂)₁₋₃-2-benzimidazole; or (CH₂)₁₋₃-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); A is a divalent spacer group which comprises a non-reactive divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms; and Pg is an amino protecting group; and wherein said process comprises the steps of: a) coupling a semicarbazone acid of formula 113 to a resin by in situ activation; b) deprotecting said amino protecting group to give the resin of formula 103; c) coupling said resin with amino acids in a sequential manner by standard chemistry to obtain a peptide coupled to said resin; and d) cleaving said peptide from said resin to obtain a peptidyl activated ketone of formula I, wherein z is C, X has the same definition as X′ above, R, has the same definition as R above, and R₂, R₃, R4, R₅, W, m, n and Y are as defined in claim
 24. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein said cleavage step is carried out in THF, aqueous HCl, and AcOH at a temperature of about 60° C. for about 4 hours; and said resin is filtered at least once.
 12. The process of claim 10, wherein said resin is selected from the group consisting of: polystyrene or pegyiated polystyrene functionalized with benzydrylamine (BHA); 4-methyl benzydrylamine (MBHA); and aminomethyl (AM).
 13. The process of claim 10, wherein said in situ activation is carried out with the addition of a coupling agent selected from the group consisting of: 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU); 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1 -yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU); diisopropyl carbodiimide (DIC); and dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC).
 14. The process of claim 10, wherein said amino protecting group is selected from the group consisting of: t-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc); 9-fluorenylmethyloxy carbonyl (Fmoc); and allyloxy carbonyl (Alloc).
 15. The process of claim 10, wherein X′ is C(O)NHCH₂-phenyl.
 16. The process of claim 10, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of: CH₃ and CH₂CH₃.
 17. The process of claim 10, wherein A is cyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl.
 18. A process for the solid phase synthesis of peptidyl activated ketones of formula I below, comprising the steps of: (1) coupling a resin 103 set forth below with amino acids in a sequential manner by standard chemistry to obtain a peptide coupled to said resin:

wherein R is H, Me or Et; X′ is CF₃, CF₂CONH-R₃₀, or C(O)NH-R₃₀, wherein R₃₀ is selected from: cyclohexyl, being optionally substituted with halogen, C₀₋₁₀ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, said phenyl ring being optionally substituted with Me or halogen, said phenyl ring optionally fused with a second phenyl ring; (CH₂)₁₋₃—O—(CH₂)₁₋₃-phenyl, said phenyl optionally substituted with halogen; (CH₂)₁₋₃-2-benzimidazole; or (CH₂)₁₋₃-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzene); and A is a divalent spacer group which comprises a non-reactive divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms; and (2) cleaving said peptide from said resin to obtain a peptidyl activated ketone of formula I below:

wherein z is C, X has the same definition as X′ above, R₁ has the same definition as R above, and R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, W, m, n and Y are as defined in claim
 24. 19. A process according to claim 18, wherein said resin is selected from the group consisting of: polystyrene or pegylated polystyrene functionalized with benzydrylamine (BHA); 4-methyl benzydrylamine (MBHA); and aminomethyl (AM).
 20. A process according to claim 18, wherein A is cyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl. 